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Vo4.  X  nd  April /Ma*/  11*7  5"0£ 

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PLANS  FOR  AfE*/ 

GARAGE/WeStatioW 


The  big  news  is  that  the  proposed 
Powling  site  has  been  bought  and  paid  for — 
at  lastl 

The  services  of  an  Amherst  architec- 
tural firm,  Austin  &  Kitchell,  have  been 
secured:   they  will  cooperate  with  the 
County  Engineer.  As  yet,  no  design  has 
been  selected,  but  shortly  this  will  be  de- 
cided and  then  the  job  will  be  put  to  pub- 
lic bidding. 

The  interests  of  the  Town  of  Wendell  in 
this  on-going  process  are  the  special  re- 
sponsibility of  Rick  Drohen,  who  maintains 
liaison  between  the  Town  Road  Commission 
and  the  architects,  and  of  Ted  Lewis  repre- 
senting the  Select  Board. 

After  the  completion  of  the  bidding,  a 
contractor  will  be  selected  and  the  offi- 
cial ground-breaking  can  take  place . 

Charles  Thompson  Smith 


Ah,  Springtime  of  Life 
travel  your  heart! 

It  is  a  well  worn  path. 
You  are  as  precious  as 

the  drops  of  rain 
that  fall  today o 

Onward  sail  your  soul 

to  journeys  never  ending 
glories  to  behold. 


Clare  Green 

SeLCCTA\AAJ     Resits 

Selectman  Jim  Slavas  will  be  resigning 
effective  the  date  of  the  annual  election, 
and  at  present  there  is  nobody  running  for 
the  remaining  two  years  on  his  term. 

Jim  said  that  his  decision  to  resign  was 
due  to  a combination  of  factors:  the  increas- 
ing amount  of  time  needed  to  do  the  job,  a 
frustration  with  community  attitudes,  and 
the  desire  to  devote  more  time  to  other 
parts  of  his  life  including  a  recently 
formed  preservation/limited  development 
partnership. 

cow*.  3=> 


Paul  Diemand  and  Parker  Cleveland  supervise 
scraping  and  painting  primer  coat  on  Wendell 
Coram ,  Church  April  1 1 „   Church  should  get  a 
final  coat!   Contributions  are  needed  badly; 
Send  c/o  Parker,  Moosehorn  Rd.,  Orange  01364 


*'••••*•■* 


:m«mim»»wi««»nmtmmtw 


TAX  COLLECTIONS: 
HOW  PROMPT? 


60  Days,  %  Collected 
1984    1985    1986 


Wendell 
Warwick 
Northfield 


91%* 

90- 

94% 

99% 


78% 
89%* 

90- 
94% 

99% 


63% 
69%* 

90- 
94% 

99% 


*  %  collected  by  2-21-87 


(Figures  for  Wendell  provided  by  Judith 
Wilder,  tax  collector.   Figures  for  Warwick 
I  and  Northfield  provided  by  Shared  Adminis- 
trative Assistant  Deb  Radway). 


LnmmtmMw»tm«»»»m.tti 


Ta>lP**me*ts  La 


Figures  from  Judith  Wilder,  tax  collec- 
tor, show  tax  collections  have  dropped  dra- 
matically during  the  last  three  years.   This 
is  the  same  time  period  as  the  town's  per- 
sistent revaluation  problems,  which  have 
forced  tax  bills  to  be  sent  out  late  or  as 
estimates  or  both. 

The  trend  is  striking.   In  fiscal  1984, 
taxpayers  sent  in  checks  totalling  88%  of 
the  tax  billing  within  sixty  days.   The  com- 
parable figure  for  1985  was  78%,  and  by  1986 
the  figure  was  only  63%  (see  chart). 

By  February  21  of  this  year,  Wilder 
reports,  more  payments  had  come  in  for  each 
of  these  billings,  bringing  collections  to 
the  vicinity  of  90%  for  both  1984  and  1985, 
still  relatively  low.   The  latest  fiscal 
year  fully  billed  ( 1986)  shows  only  70%  col- 
lected by  Feb.  21. 

Whether  the  fault  for  slow  payments  is 
in  the  late  billings  or  something  else,  the 
record  by  Wendell  taxpayers  creates  a  "vi- 
cious cycle"  according  to  Selectman  Michael 
Idoine,  that  makes  government  more  costly 
even  as  the  town's  ability  to  pay  plummets. 


cow*.  p3  3  *> 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  2 


I 


"Wendell  post 


Vol.  X   No.  1 


CONTACT  STAFF 


Anne  Diemand 
Kathy  Becker 


544-6111  (Ads) 
4-2086 


NEW  SALEM  CONTACT 

Jane  Schoenberg  4-7532 
Althea  Gilmore   4-3843 

STAFF 


Bev  Cowdrick        Lisa  Aubin 
Teri  Nelson  Koehler  Steven  Broil 
Cheryl  Richardson   Mez  Davis 
Jonathan  von  Ranson  Gladys  Powling 
Eileen  Sauvageau    Donna  Huntington 
Laurel  Wilson       Susan  DunLany 
Sylvia  Wetherby 

PHOTOGRAPHERS    * 

Mez  Davis 
Don  Pugh 


Ed  Judice 


CONTRIBUTORS 


David  Boatwright 
Ed  Chase 
Elsie  Diemand 
Deb  Radway 
Anna  Hartjens 
Nina  Keller 
Marion  Herrick 
Everett  Rickets 
Charles  Smith 
Mason  Phelps 

Special  thanks  to  B 
Depot  for  the  front 


Regina  Howarth 
Leonard  Lubinsky    I 
Parker  Cleveland 
Richard  Alves 
Dan  Keller 
Linda  Facey 
Betty  Golding 
Marianne  Sundell 
Ginny  Schimmel 
Wendell  Fire  Assoc. 

ruce  Wilson  of  Wendell 
page  art  work. 


Thanks  to  Bob  Ellis  for  the  art  on  p0  9. 

Circulation:   400 

Box  113,  Wendell,  MA  01379 
Printer:   Highland  Press,  Athol 
Subscriptions:   Anne  Diemand 
Advertising:   Anne  Diemand 
Subscription  rate:   12  issues  for  $7.80 


I'M 


/ 


j     With  this  issue,  the  "Wendell  Post" 

•marks  its  tenth  year  of  continuous  ; 

;existance,  thanks  to  the  volunteer  efforts  '• 

tof  its  care-takers.   Thank  you,  everyone!  ; 

Considering  War  Tax  Refusal 
To  the  "Post" 

Could  you  imagine  the  Selectmen  in 
Wendell  saying,  "OK,  we  are  going  to  take 
50%  of  the  town's  tax  money  this  year  and 
use  it  to  harass,  maim,  and  kill  people 
in  Erving  until  they  see  this  Rt.  2  thing 
our  way?"  We  would,  of  course,  find  the 
very  idea  absurd  and  refuse  to  allow  the 
selectmen  to  use  our  taxes  in  such  a  way. 

Is  it  any  different  then,  with  federal 
income  taxes  from  which  63%  goes  to  the 
military  for  payment  on  past,  present, 
and  future  wars? 

If  Washington  doesn't  like  a  newly 
formed  government,  then  in  the  name  of 
democracy  and  freedom  it  asks  us  to  finance 
torture,  murder  and  propaganda  to  overthrow 
that  government.   If  the  US  government 
does  not  particularly  care  for  a  certain 
dictator  but  that  leader  is  sympathetic 

to  US  military  and  economic  concerns, 
it  will  finance  military  support  for  that 
dictator.   Disrupted  lives,  violence, 
brutality,  and  killing  purchased  with 


To  the  Wendell  Post: 

In  the'  last  issue  of  the  Wendell  Post 
there  appeared  an  editorial.   The  opinion 
expressed  was  submitted  by  Jonathan  von 
Ranson,  with  the  approval  of  various  key 
members  of  the  staff.  As  one  of  the  appro- 
vers, I  was  under  the  impression  that  I  was 
okaying  the  draft  of  a  signed  letter.   I 
continue  to  have  doubts  that  a  paper  with 
no  editors  can  presume  to  have  editorials. 
This  notion  is  at  question.   This  experience 
makes  me  need  to  request  some  clarity  in  our 
policies.   I  hope  people  who  consider  them- 
selves active  in  this  paper  will  determine 
further  what  are  fair  procedures,  and  that 
the  outcome  be  written  in  the  paper  to  pre- 
serve it. 

Kathy  Becker 
Locke  Hill  Road 


To  the  Wendell  Post: 

It  is  with  great  sadness  that  I  am 
again  forced  by  my  country's  military  poli-  • 
ies,  to  withhold  payment  of  federal  taxes. 
I  cannot  in  good  conscience  help  to  pay  for 
the  probable  destruction  of  our  globe  (nucl- 
ear weapons)  or  the  mindless  arming  of  other 
countries,  even  those  dealing  in  blatant  ter 
rorism.   I  am  ashamed  of  us! 

This  is  the  strongest  protest  I  can  think 
of  and  it  is  with  full  knowledge  that  it  is 
our  freedom  and  right  as  Americans  that  dic- 
tates our  ability  and  responsibilty  to  right 
what  is  wrong  in  government. 

Now  the  world  (including  U.S.A.)  is  play- 
ing with  micro-wave  bombs  which  promise  to 
alter  people's  brains  as  well  as  doing  other 
horrible  physical  damage.   I  cannot  parti- 
cipate. 

Sincerely, 

Susan  Dunlany 


personal  income  and  phone  taxes.   It  is 
just  as  real  and  unjustifiable  regardless 
of  whether  it  happens  in  a  neighboring 
town  or  on  a  neighboring  continent. 

With  high  tech  weaponry  and  paid 
mercenaries,  it  takes  money  more  than 
soldiers  to  wage  war.   A  case  in  point 
is  that  the  drafting  of  young  men  into 
military  (dis)service  is  currently  inactive 
yet  the  federal  government's  active  draft 
of  income  and  phone  taxes  is  amply  fueling 
a  war  in  Nicaragua,  and  an  unending 
nuclear  and  chemical  weapons  buildup. 

Yet  people  continue  to  pay  their 
federal  income  taxes.  Why  is  it  that 
we  can  allow  cruel  injustice  to  occur  daily 
in  one  place  while  refusing  to  allow  it 
in  another?  Are  the  lives  of  latin 
Americans  or  Philippines  less  important 
to  us  than  those  of  our  neighbors  in  Erving? 
Or  is  it  that  with  distance  the  truth 
of  what  is  happening  becomes  less  real 
to  us;  for  we  are  not  faced  with  the 
routine  torture  of  our  friends  and  family? 

To  question  is  to  have  the  burden  of 
finding  the  truth  placed  upon  ourselves. 
It  means  introspection  with  a  possible 
finding  of  complicity  and  guilto   It  means 
change;  changing  the  way  we  see  things 
and  how  we  act  accordingly. 

All  of  us  are  familiar  with  the  old 
saying  about  how  people  don't  like  change. 
More  to  the  point,  perhaps,  is  that  people 
fear  change,  especiallyif  it  meanscoae 
is  deciding  to  refuse  to  pay  their  federal 
income  taxes. 

To  refuse  paying  federal  income  taxes 
puts  us  at  risk  of  losing  those  things 
which  make  us  feel  secure  and  free.   In 


To  the  Post  readers: 

Last  year  I  wrote  a  story  about  the  phone 
service  and  how  many  times  I  would  go  to  use 
the  phone  I  could  not  because  of  no  dial 
tone,  the  number  not  going  through  or  one  of 
many  other  things.   At  the  time  my  sugges- 
tion was  to  call  telephone  repair  because 
that  is  the  only  way  they  are  going  to  know 
how  lousy  the  service  is.   I  did  that  for  a 
while,  then  it  got  ridiculous.   For  almost 
every  phone  call  I'd  make  I  would  be  also 
calling  telephone  repair.   I  stopped  calling 
the  phone  company  because  it  seemed  like  I 
was  spending  so  much  more  time  on  the  phone 
which  is  something  I,  at  the  time,  didn't 
want  to  deal  with.   I  think  perhaps  I  also 
used  the  phone  less  anyway.  Well,  it's  Wen- 
dell Post  election  issue  again  and  one  of  my 
jobs  is  to  call  all  candidates.   I  was  using 
the  phone  again  alot  and  realized  once  again 
how  lousy  the  service  is  so  I'm  calling  tel- 
ephone repair.   The  number  is  1-555-1611.   I 
urge  anyone  who  has  a  problem  to  memorize 
the  number  and  try  to  call  everytime  you 
have  a  problem.   Some  days  I've  called  them 
six  times.   It's  a  drag  to  spend  the  time 
tied  to  a  machine  like  that,  but  the  phone 
is  something  that  so  many  of  us  depend  on 
that  if  we  want  to  change  it,  this  is  what 
we  have  to  do.   Let  them  hear  from  us  be- 
cause if  they  don't  they  won't  realize  the 
problem  and  we  will  continue  to  pay  good 
money  for  lousy  service. 

Anne  Diemand 


light  of  how  vague  the  suffering  of  distant 
people  is  to  us,  we  are  not  readily  con- 
vinced to  put  ourselves  at  risk. 

But  by  turning  our  backs  on  the  truth 
we  lose  more  than  security,  we  lose  a  part 
of  our  humanity.   And  so,  when  we  see 
for  ourselves  the  wrongs  done  in  our  name 
and  with  our  money,  how  do  we  refuse  taking 
part  in  them? 

In  March,  members  of  Pioneer  Valley 
War  Tax  Resis  tance  who  live  in  Wendell 
held  an  evening  potluck  and  discussion 
on  the  matter  of  war  tax  refusal.   About 
25  people  attended  to  talk  about  the 
philosophy,  history,  methods,  and 
consequences  of  war  tax  refusals 
Throughout  the  evening  we  realized  that 
we  share  many  common  values  that,  per- 
haps, lead  us  to  tax  refusal. 

Supporting  each  other  as  we  live  ac- 
cording to  these  values  makes  the 
uncertainty  about  our  futures  easier  to 
take.   In  the  event  that  our  home  is  on 
the  IRS  auction  block,  the  fact  that  we 
have  someplace  else  to  stay  may  give  us 
the  strength  to  endure  our  loss»   If  we 
must  leave  our  job  because  IRS  take  s 
our  paycheck  for  its  uses,  then  the 
monetary  support  of  our  friends  helps 
to  feed  and  clothe  our  family. 

If  we  recognize  and  foster  our 
interdependence  based  on  faith  in 
community  and  nonviolence,  then  we 
provide  the  security  we  need  with  each 
other  to  face  squarely  the  possible  con- 
sequences brought  by  living  our  beliefs. 

Rosie  Heidkamp 
Eileen  Sauvageau 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  3 


SeLECTAVAA)     Cfc&ieA>S 

cowl.    ... 

In  explaining  his  decision,  Jim  spoke 
both  of  a  decline  in  community  involvement 
in  town  government  and  a  lack  of  respect  for 
those  who  do  volunteer  their  time.  There 
were  more  people  involved  in  town  affairs 
when  he  came  here  in  1971  when  there  were 
only  a  few  hundred  people  in  town  than  there 
are  now,  he  saido 

He  noted  a  tendency  to  consider  town 
officials  "servants."  Mentioning  in  par- 
ticular the  selectboard,  treasurer,  asses- 
sors, and  tax  collector,  he  said  it  was 
"unfair  to  give  them  a  lot  of  responsibil- 
ity, $500  a  year,  and  expect  them  to  do  a 
job  that  you'd  have  to  pay  $5,000  to  $6,000 
apiece  for  in  the  outside  worldo"  He  said 
he  has  "a  problem  with  most  of  the  boards 
not  doing  some  of  the  work  they  should  be 
doing,  but  I  can't  criticize  them — no  one 
else  is  doing  the  work.   If  the  townspeople 
are  chosing  not  to  help  out,  then  they  are 
going  to  have  to  pay  for  it,"  he  said,  ad- 
ding, "They  can't  exploit  the  few  fools 
who  are  willing  to  run  for  office." 

He  feels  "Something  is  changing  in  town. 
It's  not  just  Wendell — all  the  towns  around. 
People  are  less  likely  to  do  things  for 
themselves."  He  also  notices  a  feeling 
that  a  local  official  who  expresses  a  de- 
sire to  be  paid  is  somehow  "a  thief." 
"Why,"  he  asked,  "is  my  time  less  valuable 
than  anyone  else's?" 

In  the  end,  though,  it  was  all  three 
factors  combined  that  led  him  to  his  de- 
cision, he  stressed. 

The  Isleborough  Group,  named  for  a  group 
of  well-preserved  and  protected  islands 
in  Maine,  includes  Dick  Baldwin  and  Nancy 
Hazard  as  well  as  Jim.   It  was  formed  last 
fall  to  finance  land  preservation  through 
limited  development.   Jim  explained  that  in 
his  experience,  land  trusts  always  seem 
to  be  working  on  a  hand-to-mouth  basis, 
never  able  to  purchase  and  protect  as  much 
land  as  they'd  like.   "It  became  clear  that 
you  need  money  to  protect  land,"  he  said. 
The  group  hopes  to  buy  large  pieces  of 
land,  identify  the  areas  for  preservation, 
create  a  limited  number  of  house  lots  on 
"more  marginal"  sections,  donate  the  rest 
of  the  land  to  the  town  for  preservation, 
and  make  enough  profit  to  allow  them  to 
continue  this  cycle.  A  similar  venture  in 
Connecticut  was  able  to  preserve  three  or 
four  times  more  land  taking  this  approach 
than  when  they  were  working  only  with  con- 
servation, he  said. 

Jim  feels  "Ted  and  Michael  and  I  have 
really  made  an  effort  to  keep  the  town  and 
the  selectboard  openo  I  feel  we've  been 
very  responsive  to  a  lot  of  issues."  He 
is  proud  of  helping  open  communication  be- 
tween town  officials.  "This  selectboard 
has  done  a  lot.  I'm  sad  to  leave  it.  I 
think  the  three  of  us  have  meshed  really 
well  together." 

Said  Jim  toward  the  end  of  our  inter- 
view, "Say  we  hired  an  administrative  assis- 
tant., d'd  stay  on  the  board."  He  added 
that  he  does  not  see  this  happening  in  the 
immediate  future. 

Though  a  full  time  position  stands  to 
be  partially  reimbursed  by  the  state, 
Jim  is  not  optimistic  that  an  assistant 
for  boards  other  than  the  tax  collector 
and  treasurer  is  likely  to  be  funded  at 
this  time. 

"You  need  a  little  more  coming  back  from 
it,"  concluded  Jim.   If  I  had  a  feeling  of 
support,  just  a  few  strokes,  anyway,..  It 
makes  it  a  little  easier.  It's  not  only 
saying,  'You're  doing  a  good  job,%  pat, 
pat,  pat.'   It's  saying,  'You're  doing  a 
good  job,  and  I'd  like  to  help  out'!" 
Marianne  Sundell 


Late  Pa^mea/ts 


conl. 


Shared  administrative  assistant  Deb  Radway 
said  the  tax  collection  figures  are  "very 
dramatic.   They  speak  directly  to  Wendell's 
financial  woes." 

Here's  how:  During  the  past  year  or  so 
the  selectboard  has  resorted  to  borrowing 
close  to  $200,000  in  short-term  notes  to  pay 
current  expenses.  Meanwhile,  fiscal  1987 
tax  bills  can't  be  sent  out  until  "a  month 
or  more"  after  a  Proposition  lh   override  e- 
lection,  scheduled  April  15,  says  Jessie 
Wetherby  of  the  board  of  assessors.  During 
all  this  time,  the  town  is  paying  interest 
instead  of  receiving  it  from  interest-bear- 
ing accounts  as  it  customarily  does  —  a 
double  jeopardy  that  demonstrates  munici- 
pally how  the  poor  get  poorer. 

Mrs.  Wilder  has  meanwhile  requested  a 
budget  for  clerical  help.   The  town  is  spen- 
ding right  up  to  its  Proposition  lh   limits,  ^ 
and  there's  no  room  without  paring  back 
other  departments  or  overriding  the  levy 
limit.   Ironically,  the  override  vote  is  to 
correct  an  error  in  Wendell's  calculation 
of  state  reimbursements  and  balance  the  pre- 
sent budget... not  to  get  help  for  either  the 
assessors'  or  tax  collector's  offices.   Her 
request'  will  wait  until  the  next  budget  is 
set  in  May,  a  budget  that  may  create  pres- 
sure for  another  override. 

Unless  a  miracle  happens,  like  a  "mob 
of  volunteers"  in  the  words  of  Selectboard 
Chairman  Michael  Idoine,  the  town  is  some- 
how going  to  have  to  allocate  money  for 
clerical  help  for  both  the  assessors'  and 
collector'-s  offices.   "It's  no  longer  ethi- 
cal to  ask  those  people  (in  the  money  man- 
agement offices)  to  continue  at  their  pre- 
sent compensation,"  he  said.   Though  he  ob- 
viously hates  to  raise  town  expenses,  he 
feels  "We'll  get  back  and  then  some  if  we 
can  keep  the  money  moving."  But  Harry  Wil- 
liston,  town  accountant,  warned,  "People  are 
slow  paying  now.  You  give  them  bigger  bills 
and  people  on  fixed  incomes  and  lower  in- 
comes will  have  a  helluva  time  trying  to 
pay." 

Idoine  lays  the  blame  for  the  town's 
fiscal  crisis  on  three  factors:   "One,  the 
Sudbury  decision  (requiring  fair  market  val- 
uation), two,  the  demands  of  Proposition 
ik.    (limiting  taxes),  and  three,  a  bigger 
town"  (meaning  services  must  be  provided  to 
more  people,  though  most  new  houses  don't 
entirely  pay  their  way  taxwise).  As  far  as 
Wendell's  growth  is  concerned,  it  has  promp- 
ted a  steady  rise  in  its  share  of  the  school 
operating  budget,  for  example,  while  the 
town's  valuation  has  risen  less  sharply.   In 
the  process,  general  government  services, 
like  Mrs.  Wilder's  tax  collector's  office 
and  the  office  of  the  assessor,  have  had  to 
contend  with  steady-state  budgets  while  the 
school  department  ate  up  most  of  the  2%   lee- 
way during  each  of  the  last  several  years. 
When  inflation  is  taken  into  account,  most 
general  government  departments  have  lost 
ground . 

Knowing  the  town's  tale  of  woe,  Mrs. 
Wilder  said  "Most  of  us  (town  officials) 
don't  feel  comfortable  asking  for  money  from 
the  selectboard.   But  my  job,  the  treasur- 
er's and  the  assessors  need  some  help.   I've 
asked  for  maybe  one  to  two  part-time 
clerks."  Besides  repeated  bills  and  warn- 
ings, her  office  has  the  authority  to  ini- 
tiate procedures  to  take  away  drivers  li- 
censes of  tax  delinquents  and  attach  proper- 
ty.  "But,"  she  said,  "it  takes  time." 


-  Jonathan  von  Ranson 


BoxJDlNO  4  BoRROtoiA/<3- 


Wendell's  indebtedness  is  about  to  take 
a  leap.   The  town  presently  owes  about 
$209,000,  some  $200,000  of  which  is  in  short 
term  notes  in  anticipation  of  tax  revenues, 
and  $9,000  of  which  is  in  two  bonds,  both 
nearly  paid  off. 

As  a  result  of  recent  authorizations  by 
the  voters  at  special  town  meetings,  $1.4 
million  or  so  will  be  borrowed  soon  through 
the  sale  of  bonds.   (Of  this  amount,  a 
little  over  $1  million,  for  the  additions 
to  Swift  River  School,  is  80%  reimbursable 
by  the  state).  Until  the  current  debts  are 
retired,  then,  the  town  will  owe  almost 
$1.6  million,  about  2h   times  its  current 
annual  budget. 

The  highest  level  of  indebtedness  per- 
mitted by  state  law  for  a  town  is  5%  of  the 
town's  equalized  valuation.  Wendell's  e- 
qualized  valuation  is  around  $16  million, 
according  to  Town  Accountant  Harry  Willis- 
ton.  Added  together,  the  debts  listed 
equal  roughly  10%  of  that  figure.   The 
precise  impact  on  the  town's  tax  rate  has 
not  been. 


[Pgggg! 


ESZSZSSSZXX2ZSZ2ZZ 


"- "  »  ^.^t 


"^-■-"^1 


BORROWING  BY  WENDELL 

\ BONDS 

Swift  R.  Schl.  add'n 
Preschool  add'n 
Town  garage/fire  station 
Dump  truck 
Loader 
SHORT  TERM  NOTES 
Borrowed  in  anticip. 
of  revenues 


$1,011,522* 
56,110* 
220,000 
6,000 
3,000 


o 


200,000 


o 

J- 

■*   o 

a. 


$1,596,632 
*80%  reimbursable  by  state 


Maple.  Valley  -  a+oojW  toiler 

BY  Susan  DunLany 
Maple  Valley  School  is  pulling  through  the 
winter  with  some  big  changes  after  enduring 
staff  and  enrollment  losses  last  fall.   The 
DeSisto  affiliation  came  to  the  financial 
rescue  of  the  school,  Mitchell  Kosh,  Execu- 
tive Director,  reports,  and  has  been  very 
supportive  during  the  changes. 

The  decision  was  made  to  be  limited  to  all 
boys.   With  Director  Roger  Smith's  departure 
in  the  fall,  and  also  losing  the  residential 
director,  Dennis  Coache,  administration  cha- 
nges and  reorganization  meant  the  remaining 
staff  was  spread  very  thin.   Running  a  co- 
ed school  takes  a  lot  of  good  staff  and  ex- 
tra work,  Kosh  admits. 

Trish  White,  the  day  director  under  Smith 
is  now  the  director.   The  job  of  residential 
director  has  been  spread  between  three  em- 
ployees, all  elevated  to  supervisory  posi- 
tions. (Teresa  Gordon,  Bob  Perrell,  Rich  Pel- 
oquin).   Consolidation  included  the  closing 
of  the  "white  house"  a  girls'  dorm  across 
Wendell  Depot  Road  from  the  main  school. 
Kosh  says  this  will  be  reopened  soon  as  a 
dorm  for  the  higher  level  boys. 

Do  the  boys  miss  the  girls  these  days? 
"They  were  upset  at  first,"  Kosh  says.   "But 
now  it's  a  relief  in  a  way.   The  boys  can  fo 
:us  on  their  own  issues,  not  be  distracted  by 
the  added  stimulation." 

The  present  enrollment  is  21  boys.   The 
school  hopes  to  grow  with  the  help  of  better 
and  added  staff,  and  even  try  going  co-ed  a- 
gain  in  the  future.  Kosh  sees  the  enroll- 
ment going  up  to  about  35. 

The  school  is  appealing  to  the  town  for 
new  night  staff.   If  interested  in  working 
one  or  more  evenings  or  nights  a  week,  peo- 
ple should  contact  the  office  at  544-6913. 
Kosh  suggests  that  if  a  person  is  unsure  how 
he/she  would  fit  in,  to  come  in  and  try  it 
for  a  few  hours.   Substitutes  are  also  need- 
ed. 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  4 


Susan  DunLany  was  one  of  the  many 
volunteers  who  worked  together  to  give 
the  Wendell  Center  church  a  face-lift. 
Looks  like  a  big  job. 

CoMMUAMTd    CHURCH) 

Last  month  the  Wendell  Church  received 
notification  that  our  liability  insurance 
had  quintupled  for  the  year  1987.   The  small1 
group  of  people  who  are  meeting  regularly  in 
the  building  cannot  afford  $500.00  per  year  - 
for  the  liability  insurance.   Most  of  our 
limited  bank  account  was  depleted  'by  the 
repairs  made  on  the  building  last  year.  We 
lack  sufficient  funds  to  complete  these  re- 
pairs.  We  cannot  even  afford  to  buy  the 
paint  for  the  work  group  Paul  Diemand  has 
organized  in  April. 

If  people  in  town  wish  to  continue  to 
use  the  building  for  activities  such  as 
weddings,  memorial  services,  child  care  and 
meetings  we  will  need  help  meeting  our  ex- 
penses.  One  dollar  a  month  from  fifty  peo- 
ple could  keep  the  building  open.   Our  dead- 
line is  April  30th,  and  we  need  more  than 
just  vague  promises  to  pay  the  bills.   Any- 
one with  money,  fundraising  ideas  or  energy 
please  let  us  know. 

The  small  group  that  now  calls  itself 
the  Wendell  Church  includes:   Jackie 
Ricketts,  Charles  Thompson  Smith,  Parker 
Cleveland,  Christine  Sullivan,  Pamela 
Hathaway-Perrell  and  Sylvia  Wetherby. 

We  feel  the  need  to  make  it  clear  that 
the  Wendell  Church  is  not  the  building.   The 
group  of  people  that  meet  weekly  and  share 
spiritual  ties  do  accept  custody  of  the 
building  for  as  long  as  we  are  financially 
able  to  do  so.   However,  we  are  not  depen- 
dent upon  that  building  for  existence.   In 
fact,  the  building  has  long  inhibited  our 
ability  to  practice  'true  religion1  in  the 
terms  set  down  in  James,  1:27  'the  care  and 
feeding  of  orphans  and  widows'  i.e.,  using 
our  limited  resources  to  assist  those  re- 
quiring assistance.   The  physical  structure 
is  clearly  interfering  with  this  more  use- 
ful directing  of  limited  resources.   A  sep- 
aration of  church  and  building  might  not  be 
an  unfortunate  happening. 

Sylvia  Wetherby 


CA.W.S.  /state: 

•Stale -Mateo 


A  negotiated  settlement  between  the  State  j 
and  CAWS  seems  to  at  a  stalemate. 

In  the  fall  of  1986  the  Massachusetts  Dept 
of  Public  Sagety  made  a  proposal  to  CA.W.S. 
(Citizens  Against  Wrongful  Searches)  about 
limiting  helicopter  searches.   CA.W.S.  had 
threatened  suit  for  invasion  of  privacy  for 
the  unwarranted  low  searches  in  Sept.  1985 
The  group  submitted  a  counter-proposal  to 
what  they  said  was  not  acceptable. 

CA.W.S. /lawyer  Ed  Berlin  recently  inform- 
ed members  that  M.D.P.S.  chief  counsel  Stan 
Adelman  had  told  him  that  the  state  was  no 
longer  open  to  a  "deal." 

The  group  is  attempting  to  meet  with  the 
new  commissioner  before  a  decision  about 
filing  is  made.  Susan  DunLany 


f^PER  Co.    Facb.3  Suit    Ove& 
Millers  River  R>llotio*. 


Four  environmental  organizations  threat- 
ened in  early  February  to  sue  the  Town  of 
Erving  unless  the  town  takes"prompt  action" 
to  stop  the  Erving  Center  sewage  treatment 
plant  from  discharging  toxic  chemicals  and  ! 
other  pollutants  into  the  Millers  River  and 
the  surrounding  groundwater. 

Through  their  attorney,  the  groups  filed 
formal  notice  with  the  Erving  Board  of  Sel- 
ectmen that  they  will  pursue  a  lawsuit  under 
the  federal  Cleaiu  Water  Act  if  the  sewage 
treatment  plant  is  not  brought  into  compli- 
ance with  state  and  federal  environmental 
laws.   More  than  95%  of  the  wastes  treated 
by  the  plant  are  from  the  Erving  Paper  Mills! 
Although  the  treatment  plant  is  owned  by  the 
Town  of  Erving,  it  is  operated  by  a  subsidi- 
ary of  the  paper  company. 

Filing  the  notice  were  the  Connecticut 
River  Watershed  Council,  the  Massachusetts 
Public  Interest  Research  Group  (MASSPIRG), 
the  Millers  River  Watershed  Council,  and  the 
Massachusetts-Rhode  Island  Council  of  Trout 
Unlimited.   The  Boston-based  Public  Interest 
Litigation  Project  is  representing  the  group$ 
in  this  action. 

"It  is  a  matter  of  public  record  that  tox-i 
ic  chemicals  are  discharged  from  the  paper 
mill  into  the  treatment  plant  and  then  into 
the  Millers  River,  and  we  want  this  stopped',' 
stated  Henry  Waidlich,  chairman  of  the  Mill- 
ers River  Watershed  Council. 

The  notice  letter  to  the  town  stated  that 
the  Erving  Paper  Mills  has  been  discharging 
napthalene  and  other  toxic,  flammable,  and 
corrosive  substances  into  the  treatment     ) 
plant,  and  subsequently  into  the  Millers  Riv- 
er.  Toxic  chemicals  are  also  entering  the 
groundwater  near  the  landfill  used  for  dis- 
posal of  the  sludge  from  tte  plant,  the  groups 
claim. 

The  notice  letter  detailed  six  pages  of 
alleged  violations.   According  to  the  letter 
the  treatment  plant: 

-  has  violated  its  pollution  limits  on 
over  500  days  since  1980; 

-  has  failed  to  implement  a  pretreat- 
ment  program  for  the  chemicals  from 
the  paper  mill; 

-  and  has  failed  to  comply  with  a  1983 
enforcement  order  from  the  United 
States  Environmental  Protection  Agen- 
cy to  correct  sewage  sludge  problems. 

The  Millers  River  is  a  key  spawning  area 
for  the  Atlantic  Salmon  Restoration  Program. 


Mason  Phelps 


3ar&ain  \rock  "Reject eo 

Voters  at  the  February  26  special 
town  meeting  rejected  a  request  from  the 
highway  commission  for  authorization  to 
buy  a  giant  4-wheel-drive  truck  with  wing 
plows,  a  grader,  front  snowplow,  and  sand- 
ing capability.   By  a  vote  of  21-5,  the  late 
, night  debaters  who  remained  to  the  end  of 
the  meeting  opposed  the  purchase  of  the  used 
low-mileage  truck  from  a  private  owner  in 
Chicopee. 

Road  Boss  Ron  Grogan,  who  had  in- 
itially favored  the  purchase,  expressed 
reservations  when  the  item  came  to  the 
floor  about  the  vehicle's  large  size  on 
Wendell's  smaller  roads,  the  lack  of  a 
warranty,  and  the  fact  that  it  would  only 
be  useful  during  the  winter  months. 

Joe  Hartgens,  head  of  the  road  com- 
mission, argued  that  the  vehicle  was  an 
excellent  value.  While  virtually  new,  this 
truck  and  several  of  its  sisters  were  put 
into  storage  by  the  City  of  Holyoke  pending 
a  suit  relating  to  brake  problems.   Though 
the  company  did  thousands  of  dollars  of   ■■■... 
brake  work,  according  to  Hartgens,  the  out- 
come of  the  lawsuit  was  that  the  city  sold 
the  trucks  to  a  private  individual,  who 
stored  them  outdoors  for  two  years  and  is 
now  seeking  to  sell. 

Voters  also  unanimously  authorized  the 
selectboard  to  petition  the  Franklin  County 
Commissioners  to  discontinue  five  sections 
of  county  roads  totalling  almost  seven 
miles: 

— approximately  100  ft.  of  Morse  Village 
Road,  located  approximately  a  mile  east  of 
the  town  Center, 

— nearly  a  mile  of  Rockwood  Hill  Road  be- 
tween a  point  500  ft.  east  of  Coolyville 
Road  to  the  Shutesbury  line, 
— approximately  1-j  mi.  of  an  unnamed  road 
starting  at  Jennison  Road  near  Morse  Pond 
northwest  to  the  intersection  with  Morse 
Village  Road, 

— almost  two  miles  of  Old  Farley  Road  from 
Posk  Place  Road  in  Farley  northward  to  the 
Arch  St.  Bridge,  and 

— two  miles  of  the  same  road  southward  from 
the  Arch  St.  Bridge  to  its  intersection  with 
Wendell  Depot  Road. 

In  other  actions,  voters  unanimously 
approved  four  "housekeeping"  financial 
transactions.   They  approved  an  additional 
sum  of  $3,184  for  local  education; 
appropriated  $615  from  the  Overlay  Surplus 
account  for  Workers  Compensation; 
transferred  $1,000  from  the  Group  Health 
Insurance  account  and  appropriated  $2,820 
from  the  Overlay  Surplus  account  to  the 
Comprehensive  Insurance  account;   and 
appropriated  an  additional  sum  of  $2,000 
from  Free  Cash  to  the  Interest  account. 

Jonathan  von  Ranson 


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WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  5 


i 


STOP 

ROAD  UNDER  CONSTRUCTOR    \ 

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USE  DETOUR 

MASSACHUSETTS    DEPARTMENT   OF    PUBLIC    WORKS 


Don  Pugh 


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J 


GETTING  TO  BE  AN  ISLAND— With  four  bridges  on  Wendell's  borders  either  closed  or 
posted  "Travel  at  Your  Own  Risk,"  the  sensation  is  stronger  than  ever  that  this 
town  is  trying  to  start  its  own  little  country.   It  all  started  with  the  closing 
of  the  antique  iron  bridge  across  the  Millers  River  in  Farley  several  months  ago, 
then  the  movement  gathered  considerable  speed  with  the  discovery  of  the  two-inch 
crack  in  one  of  the  main  girders  that  carries  Rt.  2  traffic  across  the  Millers 
in  the  Depoto   It  got  to  be  a  real  trend  when  the  bridge  over  the  railroad  tracks 
in  Millers  Falls  was  shut  down  for  repairs „ . .and  the  little  wooden  bridge  into 
the  Lake  Wyola  section  of  Shutesbury  got  into  the  act  with  a  fresh  warning  sign. 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  6 

W  ENOCH.  TowWHAtL 

ELECTIONS 
Polls  open.  I0*m-?pwi 
Monday ,  Mau  *t 

AwmualTovajm  MeeTiNG- 
1  00  p«\ 


Candidates 

Selectman 

3  years  Michael  Idoine 

William  M.  Golding 
2  years  Blank 
Assessors 

2  years  Doug  Tanner 

3  years  Gail  Bardsley 
School  Committee 

3  years  Linda  Facey 
Library  Trustee 
3  years  Marion  Herrick 
3  years   Sylvia  Wetherby 
Board  of  Health 

3  years  David  Wilder 
Planning  Board 

4  years   Steve  Gross  *write  in* 

5  years  Myron  Becker 
Cemetery  Committee 

3  years  Minnie  Bacigalupo 
Town  Clerk 


3  years 


Anna  Hartjens 
Carolyn  Manley 


Treasurer 

3  years  Blank 

Tax  Collector 

3  years  Judy  Wilder 

Moderator 

1  year  Kathy  Becker 

Tree  Warden 

1  year  Daniel  Bacigalupo 
Road  Commission 

3  year  Rick  Drohen 

2  year  Allen  Walsh 


Michael  Idoine 
Locke  Village  Road 

Selectboard 

To  the  Wendell  Post: 

I  am  running  for  a  second  term  on  the 
Selectboard  to  see  through  several  initia- 
tives and  projects  begun  during  my  first 
term.   To  be  clear,  I  don't  claim  sole 
credit  for  any  of  these  works,  but  I  did  lend 
what  effort  I  could  to  see  that  they  were 
carried  out  as  cooperatively  and  effective- 
ly as  possible.   Most  important  to  me  were 
two  projects  that  called  upon  improved  com- 
munication and  cooperation  of  most  of  our 
town  departments. 

The  first  of  these  was  the  establishment 
of  a  money  management  study  directed  toward 
improving  the  town's  cash  flow.   This  ef- 
fort, sponsored  by  a  grant  awarded  to  the 


•»"», 


ED  FARMER'S  GARAGE 


SO.  MAIN  ST. 
WENDELL,  MA. 


BUS:  617-544-7026 

GENERAL  REPAIRS  ON  CARS  &  TRUCKS 


Selectboard,  reviewed  our  money  handling 
system  and  identified  the  areas  that  need 
increased  support.   Support  is  a  key  word 
here.  Because  this  was  a  joint  effort, 
even  the  more  sensitive  recommendations 
which  were  products  of  this  study  were 
ratified  by  consensus.   Many  participants 
agreed  that  the  process  of  working  on  this 
problem  together  was  an  improvement  in 
itself. 

A  second  study,  soon  to  be  underway, 
will  examine  our  zoning  enforcement  and 
other  roles  involved  in  supporting  our 
planning  process.   The  Planning  Board,  Con- 
servation Commission,  as  well  as  the  Sel- 
ectboard, have  received  a  grant  to  support 
this  study.   It  is  hoped  that  clarifying 
our  roles  and  duties  in  this  area  will 
strengthen  the  effort  to  make  a  long-range 
plan  for  development  and  conservation  in 
Wendell. 

Other  jobs  that  would  occupy  my  atten- 
tion in  a  second  term  are  the  Farley  Bridge 
restoration,  the  new  fire  station/town  gar- 
age and  plans  for  new  town  offices.  While 
these  efforts  strain  our  administrative 
capacity,  they  are  essential  and  are  long 
overdue.   We  have  received  consistent  and 
helpful  support  from  our  fledgling  High- 
way Commission  to  make  these  highway-rela- 
ted tasks  easier. 

In  general,  I  would  like  to  continue  my 
focus  on  interboard  support  and  coopera- 
tion.  Where  we  have  made  it  work  better  it 
is  a  great  satisfaction,.  We  need  to  de- 
velop better  our  techniques  for  communi- 
cation, so  that  those  involved  in  town 
government  feel  their  work  is  carried  on  as 
effectively  as  possible.   To  do  otherwise 
would  not  do  justice  to  the  thoughtful  good 
will  I  see  most  town  officials  investing  in 
Wendell  government. 

The  workload  of  town  government  is  as 
great  as  ever,  especially  with  the  special 
projects  we  have  underway.   I  urge  Wendell 
citizens  to  consider  increasing  their  sup- 
port for  this  conscientious  work  beyond 
election  day.   I  have  promoted  with  others 
a  spirit  of  access  to  our  government  process; 
I  hope  Wendell  voters  will  take  advantage 
of  this  opportunity  to  help  us  all.  You 
don't  have  to  be  an  offical  to  help  make 
the  town  work.  You  still  have  a  choice  to 
have  a  government  of  your  own  making  in 
Wendell. 

Michael  Idoine 
Locke  Village  Road 


Th* 


544-8511 


Bill  Golding 

Selectboard 

To  the  Wendell  Post: 

Hi,  I'm  Bill  Golding.  My  wife,  Betty, 
and  I  have  lived  in  Wendell  for  almost  19 
years.  We  orginally  moved  to  Wendell  to 
raise  dogs  and  over  the  years  have  gradually 
switched  to  children  and  horses. 

I've  had  considerable  experience  with 
management  including  course  work,  cost  ac- 
counting with  the  food  services  at  Amherst 
College,  and  most  recently,  \h   years  as  act- 
ing Police  Chief  in  Orange.   I'm  still  with 
the  Orange  Police  Department. 

For  the  past  several  years  I've  been  ask- 
ed to  run  for  Selectman  but  didn't  feel  that 
I  had  the  time  to  do  the  job  justice  while 
serving  as  a  Police  Chief.  Now  that  I  do 
have  the  time  I've  decided  to  honor  all 
those  requests  and  run. 

My  concerns  are  primarily  with  the  en- 
vironment and  the  personal  safety  of  our 
children.   I  can't  promise  any  big  changes 
but  I  can  promise  fairness. 

Thanks  for  taking  the  time  to  read  this 
and  remember,  your  vote  is  your  voice! 

Bill  Golding 


Gail  Bardsley 


Assessor 


To  the  Wendell  Post: 

This  is  my  second  term  as  assessor  for 
Wendell.   I  have  learned  a  lot  and  I  feel 
good  knowing  that  I  am  contributing  some- 
thing to  the  town  that  I  have  lived  in  for 
almost. fifteen  years „ 

Gail  Bardsley 


Linda  Facey 


School  Committee 


To  the  Wendell  Post: 

As  you  all  know,  my  name  is  Linda  Facey. 
I  am  running  for  reelection  for  school 
committee  for  a  three-year  term. 

I  have  enjoyed  my  school  committee  posi- 
tion very  much  the  last  three  years. 

I  have  two  sons  still  attending  Swift 
River  School  and  I  enjoy  being  involved  in 
the  school  system  and  doing  various  volun- 
teer work  and  going  on  trips  with  the  chil- 
dren. 

In  any  situation,  I  like  to  know  both 
sides,  so  I  can  be  objective  in  decision- 
making.  I  also  like  to  hear  other  people's 
ideas  and  opinions,  so  that  I  can  understand 
and  work  for  improvements  that  other  town 
members  feel  are  necessary  for  the  best 
education  for  our  children;  and  that  is  my 
main  concern. 

I  feel  a  full,  well-rounded  curriculum 
is  necessary  for  a  good  education  and  sup- 
port teachers  who  really  give  of  themselves. 
Linda  Facey 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  7 


CANDIDATES 


Steven  Gross 
Wendell  Depot  Road 

Planning  Board 

Steve  Gross  is  a  ten-year  resident  of 
Wendell.  He  and  his  family  have  lived  for 
five  years  in  their  new  home  off  Depot 
Road,  tucked  in  a  retired  pasture  beyond  the 
landmark  old-style  dairy  barn  and  siloo 
Steve  works  with  the  Franklin  County  Mental 
Health  Associates  as  a  family  therapist. 
He  has  also  developed  an  interest  and  is 
working  with  community  mediation. 

Steve  is  running  unopposed  as  a  legal 
write-in  candidate  for  a  seat  on  the  Plan- 
ning Board.  His  observation  that  the  en- 
tire valley  is  developing  at  an  alarming  rate 
moves  him  to  want  to  have  some  say  in  how 
this  town  grows  over  the  next  years.   Steve 
hopes  to  protect  the  personality  of  the 
town  that  attracted  him  here,  the  rural 
quality  of  the  land  and  the  independence 
with  which  people  go  about  living  their 
lives.  Having  served  on  the  Planning  Board 
for  two  months  to  fill  the  vacancy  left  by 
Tom  Wetherby,  Steve  believes  this  is  an 
exciting  time  to  be  on  the  board.   "Right  now 
the  Planning  Board  is  in  its  early  stages, 
working  at  ground  zero  with  the  Town  to  form 
the  structures  which  will  protect  it  in  the 
coming  years." 

K.B. 

To  cast  your  vote  for  a  write-in  candi- 
date, write  the  name  and  address  in  the 
blank  provided  under  the  appropriate 
office  on  the  ballot.   Remember  to  mark 
an  "x"  beside  that  name  to  make  your 
vote  count. 


Myron  Becker   PLANNING  BOARD 


3  yr   term 


I   am  running   for   re-election  as   a  member 
of  the  Planning  Board  because   it   feels    like 
we   are  just  on   the  verge  of  creating  a   com- 
prehensive  and   far   reaching   future   growth 
policy   and   land  use  management  plan   for  Wen- 
dell.     I'm  excited   to  be  working  with   a  com- 
petent and  hard  working  group  of  people  who 
share   concern  about  protection   the   rural  na- 
ture of,  our   town. 


Anna  Hartjens 


Town  Clerk 


To  the  Wendell  Post: 

I  am  running  for  Town  Clerk  because  I 
like  being  involved  in  town  government. 
I  have  been  doing  the  job  for  about  15  years 
and  most  of  the  time  I  have  enjoyed  it. 
The  location  of  my  office  is  very  convenient 
to  the  townspeople  because  I  am  there  at 
least  40  hours  a  week. 

Anna  Hartjens 
Wendell  Depot  Road 


Carolyn  Manley 
To  the  Wendell  Post: 


Town  Clerk 


I  would  like  to  share  with  you  some  of 
my  reasons  for  running  for  the  position  of 
Town  Clerk  in  Wendell.  Over  the  past  six 
months,  I  have  been  involved  with  the  Fi- 
nance Committee  and  have  become  aware  of 
the  need  for  town  officials  with  the  time 
and  energy  to  serve  our  growing  town.  At 
the  prompting  of  friends,  I  chose  the  posi- 
tion of  Town  Clerk  because  I  believe  that 
my  experience  is  best  suited  for  this  posi- 
tion and  because  I  was  led  to  believe  by 
the  present  Town  Clerk  that  she  was  no  long- 
er interested  in  running  for  the  position. 

Besides  being  a  member  of  the  Finance 
Committee,  I  have  a  college  degree  and  I  am 
currently  a  bookkeepper  on  a  part-time 
basis.   In  addition,  I  have  had  experience 
for  many  years  as  an  Administrative  Asst. 

I  have  lived  in  Mass.  for  the  past  eight 
years  and  on  Locks  Hill  Road  in  Wendell 
with  my  husband  and  three  children  for  over 
a  year,, 

I  have  met  many  people  in  Wendell  and  I 
am  excited  about  the  possibility  of  being 
elected  Town  Clerk.   I  firmly  believe  that 
I  have  the  time,  energy,  and  qualifications 
to  serve  the  town  effectively.   I  would 
therefore  appreciate  your  vote  on  May  4. 


Kathy  Becker     MODERATOR 
To  the  Wendell  Post: 


1  yr  term 


I  seek  re-  election  to  the  office  of  Mod- 
erator because  it  is  refreshing  to  be  so 
close  to  the  practices  of  freedom  and  the 
democratic  idea.'  In  a  world  where  we  often 
feel  small  and  faceless,  Town  Meeting  gives 
us  the  chance  to  make  our  voices  heard  where 
it  counts.  We  are  all  safer  when  more  and 
more  of  us  understand  our  local  policies  and 
have  come  together  to  shape  these  goals 
through  honest  public  debate. 


(6171  5446035 


Cftggfr 


PERSONALIZED  PRESCRIPTION  SERVICE 


MICHEL  G.  DOW.  R.Ph. 


5  SOUTH  MAIN  STREET 
ORANGE.  MA  01364 


Rt,  a  Task  Force: 


During  the  interval  between  this  issue 
of  the  Post  and  the  previous  one  ther  have 
been  two  Task  Force  meetings  and  two  Public 
Information  meetings  on  Route  2  Relocation. 

First  was  the  Task  Force  meeting  on 
Jan.  28  at  the  Erving  Town  Hall.  At  this 
meeting  the  discussion  of  Measures  of  Effec- 
tiveness was  completed  and  Massachusetts 
Audubon  Society  presented  a  study  which  was 
prepared  by  Phyllis  L.  Robinson.   This  study 
examines  the  economic  impact  of  the  South 
Bank  Alignment  (SBA)  and  concludes  that  the 
economic  reasons  for  building  the  SBA  are 
unjustified.   Furthermore,  this  study  con- 
cludes that  in  its  destruction  of  the  Wendell 
State  Forest-Millers  River  complex  the  pro- 
ject would  work  at  cross-purposes  to  the 
Northern  Tier  Plan  which  relies  on  the  rural 
and  undeveloped  nature  of  the  area  to  at- 
tract tourists  and  provide  outdoor  recrea- 
tion. 

Next  came  the  two  Public  Meetings  on 
February  10th  and  11th  at  the  Turners  Falls 
High  School,  which  discussed  the  SBA  and  the 
Low  Profile  Alignment  (LPA)  respectively. 
These  meetings  began  with  reviews  of  infor- 
mation already  discussed  at  Task  Force  meet- 
ings and  ended  with  statements  by  Wendell 
and  Erving  residents  and  other  interested 
parties.   Some  of  these  statements  favored 
the  SBA,  some  the  LPA  and  some  opposed  any 
new  roadway  at  all. 

The  Final  Task  Force  meeting  for  this 
phase  of  the  Route  2  Relocation  project  was 
held  on  March  11th  (postponed  from  Febru- 
ary 25th)  at  the  Erving  Town  Hall.   At  this 
meeting  Task  Force  members  were  presented 
with  copies  of  the  draft  Task  Force  Report, 
and  were  given  two  weeks  for  comments.   The 
report  contains  all  the  information  generat- 
ed by  the  Task  Force  over  the  past  six 
months.   In  addition  the  Traffic  and  Safety 
report,  presented  at  our  earlier  meeting  by 
Steve  Kaiser,  was  discussed.   The  consul- 
tants disagreed  with  some  of  the  details  of 
this  report,  but  agreed  that  a  new  highway 
could  not  be  justified  on  the  basis  of 
traffic  volume  and  safety  requirements. 

The  Final  Task  Force  report  will  be 
available  in  April  and  will  be  distributed 
to  Task  Force  members.   The  report  will  then 
go  to  the  Secretary  Salvucci  and  Commission- 
er Tierney  and  any  others  who  will  be  in- 
volved in  deciding  which  alignment  to  pur- 
sue further.   It  is  expected  that  this  de- 
cision will  be  made  "by  summer." 

The  Governor  will  undoubtedly  partici- 
pate in  making  this  decision  and  it  is  very 
important  that  those  who  want  to  save  the 
very  beautiful  and  ecologically  significant 
Wendell  State  Forest-Millers  River  Comples 
write  to  Governor  Dukakis  in  opposition  to 
the  South  Bank  Alignment.  You  may  indicate 
your  support  for  the  Low  Profile  Alignment 
or  No-build.   However,  a  No-build  decision 
at  this  time  will  only  postpone  a  decision 
on  relocation  while  if  the  Low  Profile 
Alignment  is  selected  it  will  satisfy  many, 
many  needs,  offer  a  solution  for  many  years 
to  come  and  provide  relief  from  a  continu- 
ing threat  to  the  Wendell  State  Forest. 

Mason  Phelps 


I> 


TragerSM  Psychophysical  Integration 

WITH  DIVYA"SHINN 
WENDELL,  MA  01349 
BY  APPOINTMENT  (617)    544-2851 


Milton  Trager,  M.D.  has  been  developing  his  innovative  approach 
to  movement  re-education  over  the  past  55  years.  Trager  bodywork 
is  a  unique,  non-intrusive  way  to  facilitate  the  release  ot  holding 
patterns  in  the  body  and  mind,  and  effortlessly  restore  tree  flowing 
movement  and  full  self-expression.  The  sensitive  and  caring,  yet 
dynamic  rhythmic  motions  of  Trager  table  work  gently  allows  one 
to  let  go  of  deep  rooted  tensions  and  create  a  profound  state  of 
relaxation. 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987   Page  8 


Repoi^ 


^mwi  +v>t  Flaa/a/ia/g-  Board 


As  the  annual  town  meeting  approaches, 
the  planning  board  would  like  to  report  on 
the  status  of  several  important  issues. 

At  the  series  of  special  town  meetings 
last  fall,  the  Town  approved  three  revisions 
to  the  Wendell  Protection  By  Law,  namely,  to 
increase  the  minimum  road  frontage  to  200 
feet,-  the  minimum  lot  size  to  three  acres, 
and  to  provide  a  definition  of  a  dwelling 
unit. 

The  artcle  limiting  one  dwelling  unit 
per  lot  was  not  passed.   Since  that  time  the 
board  has  discussed  the  best  way  to  approach 
the  dwelling  unit  issue  and  we  have  used 
this  issue  to  help  clarify  the  nature  of 
all  the  work  yet  to  be  done. 

In  discussing  the  number  of  dwelling 
units  per  lot,  we  have  argued  two  sides  of 
the  issue. 

On  the  one  hand  is  a  concern  that  we 
are  vulnerable  to  over-development  and  that  ! 
we  need  to  get  some  limit  in  place  quickly. 
In  contrast  to  this  is  the  concern  that 
this  issue  is  too  important  to  just  slap 
something  in  place  before  doing  a  thorough 
examination. 

Should  we  propose  one  dwelling  unit  perl 
lot  and  allow  for  exceptions  to  be  granted 
by  special  permit?   If  so,  what  should  the 
criteria  and  process  be  for  granting  a  spe- 
cial permit?   Will  townspeople  have  confi- 
dence in  the  fairness  of  such  a  process? 
Or  should  we  propose  that  every  lot  have  the' 
opportunity  for  multiple  dwelling  units 
based  on  water  availability  and  perkability? 
Should  it  be  just  one  more  dwelling  unit, 
or  half  of  a  unit,  as  in  an  "in-law  apart- 
ment"?  Does  it  need  to  be  attached  to  the 
main  dwelling?   Should  the  size  of  the  lot 
be  increased  if  there  is  more  than  one 
dwelling  unit?   These  and  all  the  questions 
regarding  development  must  be  addressed  be- 
fore we  can  proceed.   At  this  time  we  have 
opted  for  a  process  that  entails  the  parti- 
cipation of  townspeople  in  deciding  the  an- 
swers. 

The  board  is  ready  to  engage  in  sever- 
al courses  of  action.   During  the  month  of 
April,  as  part  of  a  $3000  grant,  we  will  be 
selecting  a  consulting  firm  to  help  the 
board  become  familiar  with  specific  strate- 
gies, as  zoning,  special  permits,  variances, 
and  performance  review  that  can  aid  in  the 
planning  process.   We  will  then  convene 
neighborhood  meetings  to  inform  townspeople 
of  available  options,  and  more  importantly, 
to  determine  their  views  regarding  the  is- 
sues that  will  determine  the  future  of  Wen-  I 
dell. 

And  big  issues  they  are.   Things  as 
variable  density  permits,  subdivision  con- 
trol, preservation  of  the  town's  rural  char-i 
acter,  and  siting  recreation  areas  and  open 
spaces  are  but  some.   Each  requires  careful, 


informed  consideration.   Each  requires  an 
answer  that  is  consistent  with  the  vision 
of  Wendell  that  we,  as  townspeople,  share. 
The  planning  board  is  ready  to  come  up  with 
the  required  information  and  expertise. 

We  look  forward  to  working  with  you  in 
coming  up  with  the  answers. 


CONSTRUCTION 
LAND  CLEARING 
FIREWOOD 
LOGGING 
SNOW  PLOWING 

WILDER  ENTERPRISES 

STAR  ROUTE  10 

WENDELL  DEPOT,  MASS 

01380 

617-544-2773 


It)      DAVID  WILDER,  SR. 


JUDITH  WILDER 


TOWN  WARRANT 


Commontoealtl)  of  Jfflas#acf)ugett$ 

FRANKLIN,  ss. 

To  the  constable  of  the  Town  of  Wendell  in  the  County  of  Franklin. 

Greeting: 

In  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  you  are  hereby 
directed  to  notify  and  warn  the  inhabitants  of  said  Town,  qualified  to 
vote  in  elections  and  in  Town  affairs,  to  meet  at  the  Town  Hall  in  said 

Town    On       May   4,    1987        Monday 

at  10:00   o'clock  in  the     AM-  ,  then  and  there 

to  act  on  the  following  articles: 

POLLS  OPEN  10:00  A.M.  AND  SHALL  CLOSE  AT  8:00  P.M. 


Article  1:   To  choose  all  on  one  ballot,  one  Selectmen  for  3  years,  one  Selectmen 
for  2  years,  one  Assessor  for  3  years,  one  Assessor  for  2  years,  one 
School  Committee  member  for  3  years,  two  Library  Trustee  for  3  years, 
one  Board  of  Health  for  3  years,  one  Planning  board  member  for  5  years, 
one  Planning  Board  member  for  4  years,  one  Cemetery  Commissioner  for  3 
years,  one  Road  commissioner  for  3  years,  one  Road  Commissioner  for  2 
years,  one  Town  Clerk  for  3  years,  one  Treasurer  for  3  years,  one  Tax 
Collector  for  i   years,  one  Moderator  for  1  year,  one  Tree  Wardenfor  1 
year,  or  take  any  action  thereon. 


Article  2:   To  hear  the  report  of  Town  Officials,  or  take  any  action  thereon. 


Article  3: 


Article  4: 


Article  5: 


Article  6; 


Article  7i 


Article  8i 


Article  9: 


Article  10: 


To  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  to  authorize  the  Town  Treasurer,  with  the 
approval  of  the  Selectmen,  to  borrow  money  from  time  to  time  in  antici- 
pation of  the  revenue  of  the  financial  year  beginning  July  1,  1987  in 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Mass.  General  laws,  Chapter  44,  Sect- 
ion 4,  &  to  issur  a  note  or  notes  therefore  payable  within  one  year  and  to  renew 
any  note  or  notes  as  may  be  given  for  a  period  of  less  than  one  year  in 
accordance  with  Chapter  44,  Section  17,  of  Mass.  General  Laws,  or  take 
any  action  thereon. 

To  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  to  fix  the  Salary  and  Compensation  of  all 
elected  and  appointed  officials  of  the  Town  for  the  financial  year  beg- 
inning July  1,  1987,  as  provided  in  Section  108,  Chapter  41,  of  Mass. 
General  Laws,  as  amended  and  to  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  to  raise  and 
appropriate  or  appropriate  such  sums  of  money  as  shall  be  deemed  neces- 
sary to  defray  such  salaries  and  expenses  for  that  peroid,  or  take  any 
action  thereon. 

To  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  to  accept  and  expand  the  sum  of  $ 
or  such  other  sum  that  may  be  made  available  from  the  Commonwealth  of 
Massachusetts  Department  of  Public  Works  for  Fiscal   1988  Chapter  90 
type  construction,  and  to  authorize  the  Road  Conmi ssion  to  enter  into 
contracts  relative  thereto,  and  to  raise  and  appropriate  or  appropriate 
such  sums  as  amy  be  needed,  or  take  any  action  thereon. 

To  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  to  accept  and  expend  the  sum  of  1  250.00 
specified  as  "Direct  State  Aid  to  Public  Libraries",  from  the  Common- 
wealth of  Massachusetts,  or  take  any  action  thereon. 

To  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  to  raise  and  appropriate  or  appropriate 

as  principal  and         as  Interest  to  pay  the  Highway 
Department  Loader  note,  or  take  any  action  thereon. 

To  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  to  raise  and  appropriate  or  appropriate 

as  Principal  nad  as  Interest  to  pay  the  Highway 

DepartmentTruck  note,  or  take  any  action  thereon. 

To  see  if  the  Town  of  Wendell  will  vote  to  raise  and  appropriate  or 
appropriate  5  449.00  as  the  Town's  share  of  the  Shared  Administrative 
Assistant  Program,  to  accept  any  other  funds  as  may  be  available  to 
support  said  program  during  fiscal  year  1988,  and  to  authorize  the 
Selectmen  to  enter  into  a  cooperative  agreement  as  prescribed  by 
Chapter  40,  Section  4A,  for  the  program's  administration  and  manage- 
ment ,  or  take  any  action  thereon. 


To  see  if  the  Town  wil 
School  District  Commit 
expend  without  further 
to  the  Regional  School 
one-hundred-eightyeigh 
hereby  established  Equ 
of  increasing  direct  s 
school  districts,  educ 
schools, or  take  any  ac 


1  vote  to  authorize  the  Ralph  C.  Mahar  Regional 
tee  to  apply  for  and  accept  and  be  allowed  to 
appropriation  any  funding  which  may  be  available 
District  by  accepting  the  provisions  of  Chapter 
t  (188)  Section  12,  of  the  Acts  of  1985  which 
al  Educational  Opportunity  Grants  for  the  purpose 
ervices  to  pupils  in  cities,  towns,  and  regional 
ational  collaboratives  or  independent  vocational 
tion  thereon. 


WENDELL  POST     April-May    1987     Page   9 


Article    11:      To   see   if   the   Town  will   vote   to  raise   and   appropriate   or   appropriate 
the   sum  of   2   000.00   for   the   New  Sander   Account   or   take   any  action 
thereon. 


Article    12; 


ARTICLE   13: 


To   see    if   the   town  will   vote   to  raise   and  appropriate   or   appropriate 
the   sum  of   350.00   to  pay  for   the   County   Plumbing   Inspector   Program, 
or  take   any  action  thereon. 


MOVE    that    the   Town   vote    to   discontinue    in   as   much      as      they      are      Town 
ways    or      discontinued   County   ways,    or   discontinue   maintainance    in   as 
much   as    they      are      private     ways,      the      following      roads      or      portions 
thereof . 

All  locations  of  roads  are  referenced  to  the  1977  United  States 
Geological  Survey  maps,  AMS  6569  III,  Series  814,  Millers  Falls  and 
Orange  Quadrangles.  The  mapping  coordinates  given  refer  to  the  1000 
meter    Universal    Transverse   Mercator   grid. 

02  COOLEYVILLE    ROAD:    Commencing   at   the    intersection   with   Rockwell 

Hill  Road  (aka  Rockwood  Hill  Road)  (7  14  090  E:47  09  760  N}  thence 
southerly  to  the  Town  Line  with  Shutesbury  {7  14  085  E;  47  08  940  N), 
a   distance   of    approximately    2    650    feet. 

08  OLD  FARLEY  ROAD:  Commencing  at  the  intersection  with  Po:;k 
Place  Road  [7  10  500  E;  47  19  200  N] ,  thence  northerly  to  the  Arch 
Street   Bridge    [7    13    040    E:    47    19    250   N3,a   distance   of    approximately 

9  620    feet. 

09  A      ROAD      KNOWN    AS    OLD    FARLEY    ROAD:    Commencing    at    the    intersec- 

tion with  Wendell  Depot  Road  {7  13  570  E;  47  16  520  NJ ,  thence  nor- 
therly to  the  Arch  Street  Bridge  [7  13  040  E:  47  19  250  N],a  distance 
of    approximately    10    160    feet. 

22  MORSE      VILLAGE      ROAD:      Commencing      5      060    feet   east   of    the    in- 

tersection  with   Lock's   Village   and   Wendell    Depot   Roads    [7      15      200      E; 
47    13    475   N],    thence   easterly   to   the   Town   Line   with   New   Salem    (7    26    970 
E;    43    13    190   N},a   distance   of   approximately      7    100    feet. 

2::  ROCKWOOD      HILL   ROAD:    Commencing    500    feet   east    of    the    intersec- 

tion with  the  Cooleyville  Road  {7  14  260  E;47  09  810  N), thence 
southeasterly  to  the  Town  Line  with  Shutesbury  [7  15  330  E;  47  08  800 
NJ,a   distance   of   approximately • 5    060    feet. 

24  UNNAMED   ROAD:    Commencing   at      the      intersection      with      Jennison 

Road  at  Morse  Pond  (7  16  650  E;  47  11  675  N),  thence  northwesterly  to 
the  intersection  with  Morse  Village  Road  (7  15  660  E;  47  13  425  N],a 
distance   of    approximately    6    600    feet. 


Haunted  House 

Once  upon  a   time,    the   ghost  swung   to   the 
window.     And  the  witch   fell  out  the  window. 
And  the  goblins   ran  out  the  door.     And  the 
vampires   ran  out   the  window.     And   the   skel- 
etons called  the   fire  department  and   that's 

the  end!  T  .        r7  ,   ,  , 

Liam  Walsh,   age  4 


m  !    1 

•            '     i    ■   "€j0bHS™^  "* ■ 

The   Story  Lady  herself,   Phyllis  Lawrence, 
spins   a  world  of   fantasy  and   inspires    the 
children  to   relate   their  own  stories. 


Jesse's   Story 

Once  upon  a   time    there  was   a   tiger.     He 
lived  in  a  zoo.     And   then   a  crocodile   came 
along,   and   then   the   crocodile    tried   to  bite 
the   tiger  but  he  bit   the  ground,.     And    then 
the   tiger   tried   to  bite    the   crocodile  but 
the  crocodile  was  killed. 

And   then  the   crocodile  woke  up  one  day  and 
the   tiger  was   gone.     And  then  a  little  dog 
came   along.     And   then  a  person  came   along 
and   the  person  picked  up   the   crocodile   and 
the    tiger  and   the  dog. 

Jesse  Edward  Davis 
, (Age  4,   Swift  River  Preschool,   as   told   to 
the   Story  Lady) 


(As    told   to   the   story  Lady  of  Swift  River 
Preschool) 


ChuoCare  At1<>u»ai  Meeting- 

For  all  the  people  who  would  love  to  go 
to  town  meeting  but  are  unable  to  find  a 
babysitter,  this  year  hopefully  childcare 
will  be  available.  Tentative  arrangements 
have  been  made  to  use  the  Center  School  as 
a  play  area,  and  the  basement  of  the  library 
as  a  sleeping  space. 

To  get  this  effort  off;the  ground,  we  do 
need  cooperation,,   Parents  wanting  childcare 
will  need  to  make  reservations  for  their 
children  in  advance  so  that  we  will  be  able 
to  have  enough  childcare  workers  and  acti- 
vities.  Please  call  to  reserve  by  April  30. 
There  will  be  a  small  fee  to  pay  the  workers, 

We  will  also  need  people  to  do  childcare. 
Perhaps  people  from  New  Salem  might  consider 
doing  childcare  for  the  Wendell  town  meeting 
in  exchange  for  childcare  provided  by  Wen- 
dell residents  at  the  New  Salem  meeting. 
Anyone  interested  in  doing  childcare  for 
either  could  call  and  let  us  know.   Teen- 
agers and  nonvoting  adults,  we  need  you J 

Contact  person  for  reservations  for 
children  and  for  helping  out  is  Zenya  Wild 
at  544-3834,  More  details  will  be  avail- 
able when  you  call. 


©PEN  Space  Committer 

To     SoAVfcV    "TouiA/ 

Every  voter  will  have  received  in  the 
mail  a  Survey  Questionnaire  by  the  time  this 
Wendell  Post  is  out.   The  information  is 
needed  by  the  committee  preparing  an  OPEN- 
SPACE  and  RECREATION  PLAN  for  the  Town  of 
Wendell.   We  ask  folks  to  return  the  ques- 
tionnaire by  Monday,  April  27th,  1987,  so 
we  can  get  to  work  tabulating  the  results. 
We  encourage  people  to  enclose  any  comments 
pertinent  to  the  issues  raised. 

The  committee  began  work.in  Jan.  1986 
at  the  request  of  the  Select  Board.   The 
data  assembled  will  provide  the  most  com- 
plete survey  of  the  Town  to  enable  voters 
and  officials  to  plan  with  as  clear  an  idea 
as  we  can  develope  of  our  goals  for  the  fu- 
ture.  Public  hearings  will  be  held  to  help 
us  establish  goals  and  priorities. 

A  first  draft  will  be  out  in  mid-August. 
When  it  is  completed  and  accepted  by  the 
Commonwealth,  the  Town  becomes  eligible  for 
certain  grants-in-aid  from  both  the  State 
and  Federal  Government  to  specifically  fur- 
ther those  goals  which  qualify  for  funding. 
A  particular  feature  will  be  maps  which  will 
give  us  the  clearest  possible  picture  of  our 
Town  as  a  place  of  present  and  future  habi- 
tation. 

CALLING  ALL  TEEN-AGERS  -  The  Committee 
wishes  to  include  the  opinions  and  prefer- 
ences of  teenagers.  We  have  no  mailing 
list  of  them,  so  we  will  provide  extra 
copies  at  the  Country  Store,  the  Center 
Post  Office  and  the  Wendell  Depot  Store. 
All  interested  "teen-agers  are  encouraged  to 
make  their  views  known.   Today's  'teen- 
agers at  age  eighteen  become  eligible  voters 
of  tomorrow.   Unless  we  hear  from  you,  we 
cannot  meet  your  needs  or  plan  for  the  fu- 
ture you  want. 

Charles  Thompson  Smith 


CQIMERCIMJKOTO 


HISS. 


ft»»»,-»Wl»»»»W»>WW»>»>9» 


WENDELL  POST  April/May  1987  page  10 

In  Praise  of  Dandelions 

"She  likes  to  see  dandelions  buttoning 

April  lawns, 
But  thinks  that  the  greens,  cooked,  are 
their  real  beauty. 
Tasting  of  spring,  and  strange,  dark, 

Merlin- lore, 
and  ringing  in  minor  chords." 

from  New  England  Poet 
by  Lee  Avery  Reed 


-ZDandeuoais 


Winter's  mantle  has    lifted  off   garden, 
field,    and  woods.     Now,    green  grows    the   life 
of  Spring!      Clover,    dandelions,   wild  mustard, 
yellowdock   and   plantain   are   up   and   reaching 
for   the   sun;    and  we   are   reaching  down   for 
them   for  our  spring  salads.      The   deep   green 
look  and   taste   of  each  of   these   plants   calls 
out   to  us   of   its   store   of  nutrients.      I   can- 
not help  but  nibble   a  little  of   this   and 
that  when  outside,   even   if   it's    just   on  my 
way   to  hang  out   laundry. 

Dandelion   greens,   also  known  as  wild  en- 
dive,  are   at   their  most  delicious   in  early 
spring  before    they  develop    flower  buds,   at 
which  point   the   leaves   become  bitter.      Tra- 
ditionally,   in  Europe   and  America,    fresh 
dandelion   greens  were   a   favorite   spring 
tonic.      Spring   tonics  were   and  are   still 
used   for   their   general  nourishing  effects   on 
the  whole  body,  strenghening   the  vitality  of 
the   person.      Dandelion  also  has   a  marked 
effect  on  the   liver,    so   it's   a  nice  berb   to 
use   after   a  winter  of  heavy  eating  which   can 
tax   this   organ.      And   a  bit  of  reenergizing 
after   the   slower  moving  season  of  winter ,    is 
always  welcome. 

Dandelion's   botanical  name,   Taraxacum 
officianale,   means   "    the   official   remedy   for 
disorders."     This    famous  weed  has    for   cen- 
turies  represented   good  health   and   renewed 
vigor.      One-half   cup  of  greens   contains 
large   amounts   of  calcium  and  Vitamin  A   (5X 
the  M.D.R.,    so  eat   smaller  amounts,    as    too 
much  Vit.   A  can  be    toxic)    and  substantial 
amounts   of  Vitamin  B,   Vit.   C    (k  M.D.R.), 
sodium,   potassium,    and  trace  elements.     Other 
nutritive  minerals   are   stored   in   the   plant's 
taproot  which   can  be  more   easily  pulled   in 
wet  weather,   before    the   plant  blooms.      The 
root   can  be   sliced    thin   in  salads,    roasted 
and  brewed   as   a  coffee   substitute,    infused 
in  water  as   a  tea,   or  put  up  in  tincture 
form  to  extract   the  healing  properties   of 
the   root,      The    root's   nutrients   are   easily 
assimilable   and  help  build   the  blood.      It 
has   been  used    for   anemia,    liver,   pancreas, 
and   spleen  problems,    exzema,    and  other   skin 
diseases. 

Later   in   the   season   the    center   crown   and 
buds   Can  be   steamed   as   a  vegetable   and  even 
the  blossoms   can  be  batter-dippe'd   and    fried 
for  a  surprising   taste    treat.      Then   there    is 
dandelion  wine,    flower   chains    to  make   and 
wear  and  "seed   fairies"   to  blow  and  wish 
upon. 

A  very  useful   "weed"    indeed! 

In   thoughts   of   spring  wonders, 
Kate   Gilday 


F>ETQ€AT     FOOM     ^4CK  WOODS 

gabia) 

In  the  early  1970's,  Ron  Baker  lived  with 
his  wife,  Merry,  in  a  tiny  cabin  on  Bear 
Mountain.   A  couple  in  their  late  20 's, 
they  parked  their  car  at  the  bottom  near 
the  Millers  River — or  all  the  way  in  Erving 
during  the  winter — and  walked  up  to  the  one- 
room  shack  the  size  of  a  large  van.   Ron 
used  to  work  as  night  watchman  at  local  in- 
dustries and  Merry,  if  memory  serves,  was 
in  medicine. 

Ron  wrote  for  a  tiny  periodical  called 
the  Backwoods  Journal  published  by  another 
reclusive  soul  in  upper  New  York.   I  fig- 
ured in  one  of  his  stories  in  kind  of  a 
walk-on  part.   It  was  about  a  stray  female 
dog  that  in  actual  fact  roamed  the  mountain 
and  seemed  to  need  adoption.   I  was  the 
adoption  agent,  you  could  say. 

About  this  time  the  stray  met  a  truly 
wild  dog  who  taught  her  the  ways  of  pure  in- 
dependence from  hearth  and  dog  dish.  Things 
developed,"  and  there  is  a  final  scene,  fa- 
miliar in  the  annals  of  befriended  or  semi- 
tamed  wild  animals,  in  which  the  dog  pays  a 
last  "thank-you"  visit.   She  approaches  Ron 
and  the  cabin,  her  newfound  mentor  behind 
her  peeking  over  a  rise.   For  a  moment  she 
responds  to  Ron's  call,  torn  between  her 
old  life  and  her  new,  gratitude  and  romance, 
"civilization"  (such  as  it  is  in  a  deep- 
woods  shack  with  two  virtual  hermits)  and 
nature.   She  hesitates .. .and  trots  off  to 
the  call  of  the  wild. 

Ron  understood  how  stultifying  too  much 
human  contact  could  be.   Particularly  when 
it  came  to  creativity.   He  wrote  this  story 
and  others  in  a  writer's  retreat,  away  from 
the  distraction  of,  well,  Merry:  an  even 
tinier  shack  in  an  even  remoter  location  on 
the  mountain.   The  giant  hemlocks  on  the 
path  to  his  study  set  Ron  into  the  creative 
frame  of  mind,  they  centered  him  by  their 
rooted  presence  and  gracious  posture. 

Since  that  time,  Ron  and  Merry  have 
moved  away,  Ron  took  over  publication  of 
Backwoods  Journal,  ran  it  for  a  few  years, 
then  let  it  cease  when  no  other  publisher 
could  be  found.   He  turned  to  other  pro- 
jects,  one  an  investigation  of  cruelty  to 
animals  in  lab  situations.   Working  under- 


ttorSSffamq 


JoNy  fJ/'e^cu/d 


544-2851 


cover  as  night  watchman  at  an  unnamed  New 
York  State  pharmaceutical  laboratory,  he 
narrowly  escaped  apprehension  as  an  animal- 
rights  "spy,"  and  eventually  quit  to  write 
a  magazine  length  article  on  his  experience 
and  discoveries,  "Behind  Locked  Doors:   In- 
side an  Animal  Research  Lab." 

Where  Ron  and  Merry  moved  to  was  upstate 
New  York,  partly  to  get  away  from  what  they 
perceived  as  growing  congestion  near  them 
(each  summer  as  we  camped  on  our  land,  I 
imagined  we  contributed  to  the  claustro- 
]  phobia).   Here's  what  he  wrote  last  summer 
'  from  Paradox,  N.Y.: 

"Merry  and  I  are  still  here  at  our  Adi- 
rondack cabin.   It's  pretty  nice  except  for 
hunting  seasons,  which  are  scandalously 
long.   Bear  hunting  starts  in  mid-September 
and  continues  through  November.   Deer  sea- 
son starts  in  mid-October  and  continues 
through  November.  You  can  get  kind  of  para- 
noid up  here  before  it's  all  over.   That  is 
what  helped  prompt  me  to  write  my  book 
(Editor's  note:   The  American  Hunting  Myth, 
Vantage  Press  Inc.,  516  W.  34th  St.,  NY, 
NY  10001,  $10.95  plus  $1.25  postage  & 
handling) . 

"By  the  way,  it's  continuing  to  sell 
slowly.   It  was  subsidy-published,  as  it  is 
just  about  impossible  for  a  new  author  to 
get  published  any  other  way  even  if  he  or 
she  writes  a  modern  classic.   It  just  about 
cleaned  me  out  financially.   But  I  felt 
that  I  had  something  important  that  had  to 
be  said  and  publicized.   The  game  manage- 
ment philosophy  is  based  upon  The  Big  Lie, 
and  I  can't  stand  dishonesty. 

"My  book  has  had  21  reviews/endorsements, 
all  but  three  of  which  were  very  favorable. 
It  is  being  carried  by  a  local  store  in 
Schroon  Lake.   The  owner  of  the  local  bakery 
won't  patronize  the  store  on  account  of  it. 
Guess  I'm  making  an  impact!   I  still  have  a 
ways  to  go  to  sell  the  3,000-plus  copies 
necessary  to  break  even  on  expenses..." 

That  was  Ron's  letter.   Perhaps  the  Wen- 
dell library  will  purchase  a  copy  of  the 
book,  which  details  the  ways  "hunter-domi- 
nated state  and  federal  wildlife  agencies 
are  systematically  destroying  America's 
wildlife  and  natural  lands  and  what  you  can 
do... to  insure  a  responsible  stewardship 
over  America's  wildlife." 

Ron  asks  the  status  of  the  Arch  St. 
Bridge,  the  underground  pipeline  and  the 
Route  2  project,  all  erstwhile  contributors 
to  his  Wendell  claustrophobia. 

What  he  doesn't  know  is  that  the  hemlocks 
on  the  way  to  the  writer's  shack — one  of  the 
largest  and  most  beautiful  stands  on  Bear 
Mountain — are  under  threat  of  logging.  They 
may  have  been  saved,  but  what  Ron  calls 
paranoia — given  his  value  clash  with  the 
dominant  culture — sometimes  seems  a  re- 
strained reaction. 

Jonathan  von  Ranson 


J  CHRISTOPHER  SIKES 

3  PIANO  TECHNICIAN 

\  WENDELL,    MASS.      544-3914 

V      TUNING  REPAIR  ESTIMATES 

K»  a>OA«/S  «"****»  C"V«*f&  ffV***» 


A 


KIMBALL  -  COOKE 


SERVING 

ATHOL 

AREA 


INSURANCE 

SINCE   1936 

ALL  LINES 

CURTIS    M     KIMBALL 

FRANK   MAGRONE   JR 

CURTIS   J.    RAND 

CHARLES  J.    WINN 

249-3273 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  1 1 


Letter  frtim  Guatemala 

Dear  family  and  friends, 

I'm  writing  this  collective  letter  to 
explain  to  h'all  that  I  am  currently  working 
with  a  Peace  Brigades  International  (PBI) 
team  in  Guatemala  City.   Our  principal  work 
here  consists  of  escorting  (day  and  night) 
Guatemalan  citizens  who  are  potentially  thr- 
eatened by  violence.   Under  the  present  pol- 
itical circumstances,  international  escorts 
greatly  reduce  the  risk  that  these  people 
face  day  to  day.   PBI  is  a  worldwide  organi- 
zation committed  to  non-violence  and  seeks 
to  promote  peaceful  solutions  of  political 
conflicts  using  a  variety  of  active  and  pas- 
sive strategies.  When  ex-president  General 
Oscar  Mejia  Victores  announced  the  imminent 
"democratic"  opening  here  in  1983,  PBI  dec- 
ided to  send  a  team  to  monitor  the  situation 
and  to  create  an  international  presence  at 
this  critical  time. 

Tonight  I  am  escorting  the  precocious 
four  year  old  daughter  of  Nineth  Montenegro 
Garcia.   One  might  expect  that  four  year  >j 
olds  could  be  exempt  from  the  threat  of  kid- 
napping and  murder  but  I'm  sad  to  tell  you 
that  this  is  not  true.  Nineth  is  the  out- 
spoken and  popular  leader  of  GAM  (Mutual  Sup 
port  Group)  organized  by  families  of  dis- 
appeared persons  in  1984.   GAM  dedicates 
its  efforts  to  protesting  the  disappearances 
and  pressuring  the  government  to  clarify  the 
cases  and  punish  those  responsible.   GAM  is 
the  only  such  "human  rights"  group  operating 
within  Guatemala  today.   Several  others  in 
the  last  decade  were  forced  by  violent  re- 
prisals to  cease  their  efforts  and/or  flee 
the  country.   For  this,  GAM  has  been  the  foe 
us  of  enormous  attention  and  controversy  wi- 
thin the  country  and  worldwide.   To  many 
here,  Nineth  is  a  national  hero;  to  others 
a  dangerous  radical. 

After  months  of  fuitless,  low-key  diplo- 
macy in  1984,  GAM  shocked  the  country  by  pu- 
blicly accusing  the  army  and  secret  police 
of  being  responsible  for  thousands  of  murd- 
ers and  disappearances.   In  a  series  of  paid 
newspaper  ads  and  public  statements,  they 
claimed  that  a  wealth  of  irrefutable  evid- 
ence compiled  by  their  group,  including  wit- 
nesses' testimonies,  photos,  and  material 
evidence,  proved  the  army's  culpability. 

Then  head  of  state  Mejia  Victores  res- 
ponded by  accusing  GAM  of  being  influenced 
by  "foreign  subversion"  and  of  trying  to 
mount  a  slanderous  campaign  to  discredit  the 
government.  According  to  Victores,  the  vio- 
lence in  Guatemala  id  a  "folkloric  problem 
that  began  with  Cain  and  Abel...   The  pro- 
blem is  that  nobody  is  content  with  any- 
body, and  in  Guatemala,  where  there  are  7 
million  people,  it  is  a  normal  problem." 
The  Minister  of  Government  Adolfo  Lopez 
Sandoval  suggested  that  those  "allegedly 
disappeared"  had  left  Guatemala  to  work  in 
the  United  States  or  had  gone  underground^ 
amd  Joined  the  guerillas. 

GAM  refused  to  accept  these  explanations 
and  intensified. their  protests  including  a 
peaceful  occupation  of  the  Constituent  Ass- 
embly.  In  early  1985  they  began  holding 
weekly  rallies  near  the  National  Palace 
stopping  traffic  and  banging  pots  and  pans 
to  draw  attention  to  their  demands. 

At  this  point  the  leadership  and  many  of 
the  members  of  GAM  began  receiving  death 


Diemand's 


^6a  <J^ 


v5ff~OS06 


threats  and  annonymous  warnings  to  cease  th- 
eir public  spectacles.   Despite  the  persis- 
tent threats,  GAM  continued  its  public  pro- 
tests attracting  many  new  members.  However, 
on  March  30,  1985  Hector  Gomez,  one  of  the 
vociferous  leaders  of  GAM,  was  kidnapped  and 
killed.   According  to  his  niece  he  had  been 
tortured  with  a  blowtorch,  brutally  beaten  » 
and  his  tongue  was  cut  out.   Four  days  later 
Rosario  Godoy  de  Cuevas,  another  principal 
leader,  was  also  kidnapped. and  murdered  al- 
ong with  her  brother  and  her  three-year-old 
son.  According  to  mourners  who  viewed  the 
corpses,  the  child's  fingernails  had  been 
torn  out.   This  was  a  critical  moment  for 
GAM.   Under  continuing  threats,  several  lea- 
ders chose  to  flee  the  coutry.   However,  un- 
der the  determined  leadership  of  Ms.  Garcia 
(her  own  husband  disappeared  in  Feb.  84)  the 
group  has  persisted  to  the  present  and  now 
numbers  well  over  1000  members  (most  of  then 
indigenous  women).   Tremendous  internation- 
al recognition  of  GAM's  struggle  including 
a  prestigious  human  rights  award  (Carter- 
Mendil)  as  well  as  sympathetic  foreign  es- 
corts have  given  the  group  somewhat  greater 
safety  although  death  threats  have  not  stop- 
ped. 

Sitting  here  on  escort  duty,  I  flip  thr- 
ough the  pages  and  pages  of  news  clippings 
snd  photos  of  the  disappeared.  At  first  it 
is  easy,  indeed  inevitable  that  one  dist-n 
ance  oneself  from  the  reality  of  so  much 
raw  violence.   After  tens  and  tens  of  thou- 
sands of  deaths,  the  numbers  cease  to  have 
any  meaning.  Almost  by  necessity  one  adopts 
an  attitude  of  detachment  in  order  to  pro- 
ceed with  the  routine  of  life  (be  it  what 
it  may  for  a  PBI  volunteer). 

But,  for  me,  every  once  in  a  while  the 
facade  slips  a  little.  When  I  listen  to  the 
personal  testimonies  of  the  families  of  the 
disappeared...  When  I  watch  the  shadowed 
faces  of  the  indigenous  women  at  a  GAM  meet- 
ing, a.      Sometimes  just  when  riding  through 
the  crowded  slums  of  Guatemala  City  watch- 
ing the  hordes  of  strangers,  children,  stre- 
et vendors  and  beggars...   Then,  for  a  brief 
instant  I  sense  the  presence  of  those  40,000 
missing  Guatemalans.   I  begin  to  realize  i. 
that  each  one  of  them  was  a  real  person,  a 
living,  breathing  human  being,  who  was  wren- 
ched without  warning  from  their  home  and  fam 
ily  and  whose  fate  remanins  a  cruel  mystery 
now  and  probably  forever.   They  just  dis- 
appeared! 

To  make  some  intellectual  sense  of  the 
contemporary  situation  in  Guatemala  it  is 
essential  to  understand  the  historical  pre- 
cedents of  this  country  beginning  with  the 
rape  of  the  Mayan  cultures  by  Cortez's  lieu- 
tenant Pedro  de  Alvarado  on  1528.   Endur- 
ing patterns  of  land  ownership,  enforced  la- 
bor, race  relations  and  economic  domination 
were  established  which  are  still  evident  to- 
day.  Also  of  ultimate  significance  is  the 
1954  CIA  sponsored  coup  which  squashed  Guat- 
emla's  first  tentative  experiment  with  pop- 
ular democracy  and  social  reform.  Under  sub- 
sequent military  regimes,  the  urgent  pro- 
blems of  landlessness,  unemployment,  illit- 
eracy, poverty  and  hunger  have  all  grown 
more  acute.   More  complete  information  on 
these  subjects  can  be  found  in  the  following 
books:   Bitter  Fruit  by  Kinzer  and  Schlesin- 
ger,  Guatemala  in  Rebellion  edited  by  Fried, 
Gettleman,  Levenson  and  Peckenham,  The  Mut- 
ual Support  Group  an  Americas  Watqh  Report, 
1985. 

Working  as  part  of  this  project  has  been 
both  difficult  and  inspiring.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  December,  1985  election  of  well-in- 
tentioned Vinicio  Cerezo,  political  murders 
and  disappearances  continue  to  occur.   Due 
to  the  small  size  and  conditional  status  of 
the  BI  team  we  can  really  only  provide  sec- 
urity for  a  small,  select  handful  of  people. 
Twice  president  Cerezo  has  reneged  on  his 
campaign  promise  to  lanch  an  independent  in- 
vestigation of  the  disappearances.  His  mes- 
sage has  been  to  "forget  the  past"  and  to 
move  fprward  toward  a  better  future.   But, 


by  his  own  admission  Cerezo  holds  only  30% 
of  the  power  in  his  government.   It  is  easy 
to  grow. disillusioned. .. 

Albeit  small,  the  PBI  presence  sould  not 
have  even  existed  here  five  years  ago.   To- 
day, I  am  part  of  a  unique  and  committed 
team  of  volunteers  and  peacemakers  from  all 
over  the  world.  We  live  cooperatively  in  a 
comfortable  house  in  Guatemala  City  sharing 
both  the  political  struggle  and  the  mundane 
day  to  day  stuff.   Spanish  is  the  language 
we  all  have  in  common  though  each  of  us  adds 
our  own  unique  flavor  the  Castillano.   I've 
been  sewing  plenty  of  Doggie  Sacs  while  on 
escort  duty.   I  also  practice  my  stalls  ev- 
ery dayl 

Besides  escorting  threatened  Guatemalans, 
PBI  also  maintains  relationships  with  a  spec- 
trum of  different  citizens  and  officials. 
We  provide  a  safe  meeting  place  for  GAM  and 
other  groups  that  request  it.  We  provide 
protection  and  advice  to  a  handful  of  unass- 
ociated  individuals  in  the  country.  We  of- 
fer ourselves  as  observers  and  mediators  in 
local  or  regional  conflicts  that  arise.   PBI 
also  publishes  a  monthly  newsletter  keeping 
folks  on  the  outside  somewhat  up  to  date. 
We  also  communicate  regularly  with  the  base 
organization  in  Toronto  who  use  our  work 
to  encourage  international  scrutiny  of  and 
solidarity  with  Guatemala. 

Two  weeks  ago  the  team  hosted  1980  Nobel 
Peace  Prize  laureate  Adolfo  Perez  Esquivel 
on  his  brief  visit  here.  A  brilliant  and 
compassionate  Argentine,  Esquivel  spoke  out 
in  public  against  self-serving  military  re- 
gimes that  perpetrate  terror  and  cultural 
genocide.   It  raised  the  hair  on  my  neck  to 
hear  him  passionately  denounce  political  re- 
pression in  a  way  that  few  Guatemalans  could 
dare  to. 

Last  week  I  travelled  to  the  Atlantic 
coast  with  three  other  PBI  volunteers.   We 
were  requested  to  serve  as  observers  of  a 
tende,  potentially  violent  confrontation  be- 
tween a  group  of  once-a-week  street  market 
(flea  market)  vendors  and  the  city  government 
which  was  determined  to  move  them  from  their 
traditional  location.   It  was  a  complicated 
conflict  with  many  variables  and  hidden  mo- 
tives but  in  the  end,  the  two  parties  were 
able  to  negotiate  what  seems  to  be  a  workable 
solution.  As  explicitly  non-partisan  obser- 
vers, we  talked  at  length  with  both  sides, 
encouraged  them  to  set  up  a  meeting  and  main 
tained  a  high  profile  presence  on  market  day. 
In  the  end,  it  was  the  Guatemalans  themselves 
who  solved  their  crisis,  just  as  they  must 
ultimately  with  the  greater  national  crisis. 
Please  forgive  me  for  using  this  imperso- 
nal method  to  communicate  with  you.   (I  ne- 
ver liked  this  kind  of  letter.)  Under  the 
circumstances  however,  this  was  the  prefered 
option.   I  miss  all  my  family  and  friends 
trmendously  as  I  feel  the  passage  of  months 
away  from  home..  I  miss  Wendell,  Massachusetts 
full  moon  coffee  houses  and  I  even  miss  win- 
ter a  little.   I  hope  that  March  has  found 
each  of  you  snug  and  active  in  your  burrows 
(tipis?)   and  look  forward  to  the  changes  to 
come.   It's  hard  to  believe  that  soon  it 
will  be  time  to  till  the  earth  again... 
Peaqe, 
Daniel  Dog 
P.S.  The  address  of  Peace  Brigades  Inter- 
national is  175  Carlton  St.,  Toronto, 
Ontario,  Canada  M5A  2K3 

(Editor's  note:  Daniel  Botkin  of  Wendell 
Depot  Rd.  taught  at  New  Salem  Academy) 


Swedish  Mmeaqz 


Therapeutic  massage 
In  your  home 


Susan  DunLany,  certified 
phone  544-7425 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  12 


ST.  PAT'S  DAY  SING— Lester  Scafidi,  children 

librarian  at  Wheeler  Memorial  Library,  with 
friends  at  New  Salem  Public  Library  following 
program  of  songs  and  stories  in  celebration 
of  St.  Patrick's  Day.   Program  was  funded  by 
the  New  Salem  Arts  Lottery  Council  and  the 
Friends  of  the  Library  provided  green  fruit 
juice  and  cookies. 


j(Uvui*y 


Afrt 


Cd, 


Books  bring  the  whole  world  to  one's  door. 
On  a  gloomy  day  they  can  bring  sunshine  into 
one's  heart.  With  the  magnificent  color  in 
today's  books  one  can  virtually  travel  the 
world,  explore  the  unlimited  nysteries  of 
science,  make  close  acquaintance  with  the 
beauty  and  the  grandeur  of  nature.   It  is 
the  greatest  bargain  the  world  has  ever  kno- 
wn.  It  offers  all  this  and  more  and  does 
not  cost  one  cento 

And  the  quality  of  our  little  library  has 
soared.   It  is  one  of  the  best. 

I  find  real  joy  in  doing  all  I  can  in  my 
limited  way  toward  making  a  finer  and  still 
finer  library  in  the  little  town  that  is 
dear  to  my  he arte   I  love  people  and  I  love 
books  and  I  enjoy  doing  my  little  bit  toward 
bringing  them  together. 

Marion  Herrick 

WASTE.   J)lSPOSAL 

Placating- 

In  order  to  save  rental  money,  Wendell 
will  keep  the  open  top  dumpster  only  through 
April  and  May  this  year.  The  open  top  ac- 
cepts large  items  such  as  couches,  televi- 
sions and  mattresses,  which  cannot  be  com- 
pacted, and  which  would  provide  homes  for 
rats  if  put  in  the  landfill. 

The  Holyoke  Energy  Recovery  Company, 
HERCO,  began  in  1979  when  J.F.  Partyka  and 
Sons  determined  that  their  landfill  had 
only  ten  remaining  years.   They  sent  engi- 
neers around  the  country  and  to  Europe, 
studying  composting,  recycling,  and  burning 
facilities,  and  concluded  that  for  them,  the 
best  alternative  was  a  waste  to  energy  re- 
covery plant.  At  that  time,  the  State  De- 
partment of  Environmental  Quality  Engineer- 
ing (DEQE)  and  the  Bureau  of  Solid  Waste 
Disposal  (BSWD)  told  them  that  their  only 
choice  was  a  waste  to  energy  recovery  plant, 
and  that  no  new  landfills  would  be  approved 
unless  connected  to  such  a  facility. 

In  theory,  there  are  several  benefits  of 
a  plant  such  as  the  proposed  HERCO  plant; 
first,  the  energy  saved  by  replacing  some 
fossil  fuel  with  trash;  second,  the  extend- 
ed life  of  landfills  filled  with  the  ash 
from  the  burning  facility,  reduced  by  rough- 
ly 70%  from  the  volume  of  raw  trash.   The 


ash  will  be  of  lower  pH  than  raw  trash,  and 
therefore  less  available  to  be  leached  into 
the  groundwater.   The  exhaust  gases  are 
clean  because  of  high  combustion  tempera- 
tures, and  particulates  are  filtered  and 
removed  by  electrostatic  precipitators 
(ESP's).  According  to  John  Krzeminski,  of 
J.F.  Partyka  and  Sons,  the  proposed  plant 
may  actually  reduce  air  pollution  by  re- 
ducing dependence  on  the  present  electric 
plant  which  burns  soft  coal,  and  it  would 
add  less  dioxins  than  present  automobile 
use.   The  Partyka  family,  including  John 
Krzemenski  live  in  Holyoke  and  are  raising 
their  children  there. 

In  their  planning,  Partyka  and  Sons  ne- 
glected to  include  public  hearings,  and  al- 
though the  Holyoke  Board  of  Health  approved 
of  their  plan,  and  a  local  referendum  in 
Holyoke  approved  of  the  plan  in  1980,  citi- 
zens groups  arose  opposing  the  plant,  most 
notably  the  Committee  for  a  Quality  Environ- 
ment, CQE,  and  Nueva  Esperanza. 

A  study  by  Paul  Connett  of  St.  Lawrence 
University  predicted  300  new  cases  of  can- 
cer annually,  and  he  gave  frightening  pre- 
sentations of  the  threat  from  dioxins. 

Jesse  Ortiz,  a  professor  of  Public 
Health  at  the  University  of  Massachusetts, 
working  with  Nueva  Esperanza  approached 
Partyka  and  Sons  with  his  objections  to  the 
plant.   Partyka  responded  by  modifying  the 
plans,  and  after  several  exchanges,  Ortiz 
was  satisfied.   Nueva  Esperanza  and  CQE 
were  not. 

Ortiz  also  found  that  Connetts  figures 
for  pollutants  were  high  by  a  factor  of 
1,000. 

The  ideal  situation  can  be  far  from  the 
real  situation.   There  are  hundreds,  if  not 
thousands,  of  potential  pollutants,  and  the 
HERCO  exhaust  would  interact  with  pollu- 
tants from  other  sources.   Incomplete  and 
inefficient  burning  can  follow  from  mechani- 
cal failure,  excessively  wet  fuel,  and  cold 
start  and  shutdown.   Dioxins  result  from 
most  burning,  and  when  chlorinated  plastics 
are  burned,  the  dioxins  formed  are  chlori- 
nated, very  stable  and  incredibly  toxic. 

In  November  of  1986  the  State  DEQE  deni- 
ed the  siteing  request  of  HERCO  with  a  three 
page  letter  giving  no  reasons.   Partyka  is 
appealing  that  decision  now  in  Massachusetts 
Superior  Court,  but  even  if  he  wins,  the 
DEQE  may  still  deny  him  a  permit.  Without 
HERCO,  Wendell  has  no  long  term  plan  for 
our  trash.   Our  trucker,  Richard  Gagnon,  is 
investigating  putting  the  trash  in  contain- 
ers and  shipping  it  by  rail  to  a  large  land- 
fill near  Buffalo,  New  York. 

For  Wendell,  recycling  is  a  first  step. 
John  Krzeminski  estimated  that  recycling  of 
newspaper,  glass  and  cardboard  would  re- 
duce our  trash  volume  by  10%  to  30%,  depend- 
ing on  participation.   Richard  Gagnon  con- 
curs, figuring  that  we  can  save  five  to  six 
compactor  loads  a  year,  about  $2500  at  the 
present  tipping  fee. 

Presently  we  are  doing  well  to  have 
someone  haul  recycled  material  away  for 
nothing,  but  as  more  recycling  occurs  re- 
gionally, markets  will  change,  businesses 
will  be  able  to  depend  on  a  steady  supply  of 
recycled  material  and  may  start  paying. 
Other  materials  might  become  worth  recycl-  • 
ing.   It  all  was  good  once. 


Dt7  l^CyQick-  %T5enedet£i 

OPTOMETRIST 

General  Family  Practice 

Eye  Care  -  Eye  Examinations 

Eye  Glasses 

All  contact  lens  types, 

gas  permeable  and  soft 

No-line  Bifocals 
Athol,  Mas 


Keep  your  eyes  open  for  informative  re- 
cycling signs  at  the  dump.  Each  household 
will  become  more  and  more  responsible  for 
separation  of  glass,  newspapers,  magazines, 
hazardous  waste,  and  for  composting  land- 
fill materials  like  leaves  and  brush.  While 
this  is  voluntary  now,  be  one  step  ahead 
and  organize  your  trash  now.   Thank  you. 

Joshua  Heinemann 
Wendell  Recycling 
Committee 


Friends  of  <Qo*&e>\M ,  Xxc. 

Elizabeth  Howe  Lincoln 
Quabbin  Watercolors,  Etchings  &  Lithographs 

The  Gallery  at  the  Quabbin  Visitor 
Information  Center  has  come  alive  with 
local  images  painted  by  one  of  our  areas 
most  popular  artists,  Elizabeth  Howe  Lin- 
coln.  Mrs.  Lincoln  lives  in  Ware  where 
she  taught  studeo  art  and  art  history  in 
the  school  system  for  15  years.  Her  works 
grace  private  collections  throughout  the 
USA  and  in  Canada,  Mexico,  and  Scotland, 
She  has  had  numerous  one-woman  shows  and 
her  paintings  are  regularly  displayed 
in  many  local  places  of  business „ 

These  works  will  be  on  display  through 
April  and  May. 

Mrs.  Lincoln  created  many  of  the  illus- 
trations for  her  father's  book  "Quabbin- 
The  Lost  Valley".   This  out-of-print  col- 
lector's item  remains  one  of  the  most 
authoritative  historical  records  of  Quab- 
bin's  lost  communities.   A  copy  can  be 
viewed  at  the  Visitor  Center. 

The  Quabbin  Visitor  Center  is  open 
Monday  through  Friday  from  7:30  AM  to 
4:00  PM  and  from  10:00  AM  to  4:00  PM  on 
weekends.  It  is  located  in  the  MDC  Ad- 
ministration Building  at  Winsor  Dam  off 
Route  9  in  Belchertown= 

For  more  information  contact  Terry 
Campbell;  485  Ware  Road;  Belchertown, 
MA  01007;  413-323-7221. 


I  Read  To  You 


I  read  to  you 

a  message  of  light,  dear  friend, 

of  sparkling  rainbowed  rivers  flowing  bright 

of  darkness  dispelling  doom  and 

bringing  flowers  to  bloom 

and  of  fragrances  yet  to  be  born 

and  scents  yet  to  be  worn. 

Let  not  the  solemnity  of  your  mourning 
give  you  anything  but  fair  warning 
to  wintered  seeds  in  darkened  earth. 
Rivers  overflowing... 
my  love  is  growing. 

Clare   Green 


249-8931 


i^Zl'4^- 


f-^iuckic   JKeadinqA 

COUNSELING;  PAST  UVES.  GENERAL  HEALTH 

AURA  &  CHAKRA  CLEANSING 

MEDITATION  &  INNER  DEVELOPMENT 


OARIA  NIELSON 

R.F.D.  MORMON  HOLLOW  RD 

MILLERS   FALLS.   MASS 


AVAILABLE  FOR  CLASSES 
ft  WORKSHOPS 

1-617    5*4    7702 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  13 


|s|ew  Salem  MeeTiNc-HOusE. 


The  State's  Executive  Office  Of  Admini- 
stration and  Finance  has  promised  a  $150,000 
matching  grant  for  restoring  New  Salem's 
1794  Meetinghouse  and  equipping  it  for  use 
as  a  civic  and  cultural  center.   This  res- 
toration project  is  contingent  upon  approval 
by  the  residents  of  the  Town  of  New  Salem. 
The  Meetinghouse  is  listed  in  the  State 
Register  of  Historic  Places  and  is  located 
on  the  New  Salem  Town  Common.  Frank  T. 
Keefe,  Sec  of  Adminstration  and  Finance, 
announced  the  grant  in  a  letter  to  the  1794 
Meetinghouse  Preservation  Committee.  Ac- 
cording to  Erin  Williams,  spokesperson  for 
the  Committee,  the  Sec*,  said  in  his  letter 
that  he  had  been  particularly  impressed  by 
the  strong  community  support  for  the  pro- 
ject evidenced  by  the  more  than  $6,000 
raised  by  the  Preservation  Committee  from 
within  the  small  community. 

The  State's  grant  is  a  matching  grant 
and  also  requires  that  the  Meetinghouse  pro- 
perty be  owned  by  the  Town,  under  the  man- 
agement of  a  Cultural  Center  Commission.  To 
receive  the  grant,  a  30%  share  of  the  total 
cost  (about  $65,000)  must  be  raised  by  the 
Cultural  Center  Comm.  Ms.  Williams  says 
that  fund-raising  will  start  almost  immed- 
iately, and  that  individual  contributions, 
corporate  support,  and  private  foundation 
grants  will  be  sought.   The  present  owners 
of  the  building,  The  Congregational  Society 
of  New  Salem,  will  be  asked  to  vote  on 
transferring  the  Meetinghouse  to  Town  owner- 
ship, Williams.says  that  a  Special  Town 
Meeting  will  be  requested  to  establish  the 
Cultural  Center  Comm.  and  to  transact  other 
necessary  business  in  connection  with  the 
grant. 

Restoration  and  development  of  the  Meet- 
inghouse as  a  civic  and  cultural  center  will 
take  about  two  years.  This  restoration  pro- 
ject will  return  the  Meetinghouse  to  its 
original  simple  elegance  and  will  provide 
portable  stage  lighting  and  acoustical 
treatments.   The  Meetinghouse  will  seat  up 
to  220  people  and  will  be  accessible  to  the 
handicapped.  When  the  work  is  completed, 
the  Meetinghouse  will  be  used  as  a  center 
for  live  theater,  concerts,  seminars,  lec- 
tures, and  workshops  of  various  kinds.   The 
Meetinghouse  will  also  be  made  available  for 
weddings,  graduations  and  other  similar 
functions  for  which  it  has  traditionally 
served  the  community. 

Members  of  the  1794  Meetinghouse  Preser- 
vation Committee  include:   Bradley  Fisher, 
Althea  Gilmore,  Jack  Jewett,  Marion  vonMer- 
ing,  and  Erin  Williams. 

I Althea  Gilmore 


fOTERS 


Move.  R^escHooi 


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CONSTRIlPTinM     if 


CONSTRUCTION,  INC. 


Specializing  in 

VICTORIA'X  STYLES 

Repair,  Restoration,  &  Renovation 

FULLY  LICENSED  AND  INSURED 


Douglas  Tanner 
P.O.  Box  193,  Wendell.  MA  01379  (617)544-2067 


i-a-imam->m^cac3c3t3c3cai-n-ii-ii-ii-ji-ji-iun 
DOUBLEDAY  ADMINISTRATIVE  SERVICES 

520  South  Main  Street,  Orange.  MA 

544-2709 

Word  Processing: 

•Statistical  (Business 

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TRANSCRIBING  NOTARY 

'.  BOOKKEEPING  SERVICES 

l-b-  u  u  Ti  ii  it  aag 


im^iian  1 1 1  ii 


tm'.iA^mtmsxa 


The  Swift  River  Preschool  is  a  wonderful- 
ly busy  and  happy  place  in  the  center  of 
Wendell.  On  Feb.     1987,  the  people  of 
Wendell  came  together  at  a  special  town 
meeting  and  voted  to  move  the  preschool  to 
Swift  River  Elementary  School.  New  Salem 
had  already  approved  the  move. . 

It  was  an  emotional  meeting.  Many  towns- 
people at  the  meeting  had  gone  to  this  school 
in  the  center  of  town.  Their  children  and 
grandchildren  had  also  been  schooled  there. 

It  is  an  idyllic,  but  not  ideal  setting. 
One  major  drawback  is  traffic  going  by  so 
fast  and  so  close  to  the  playground.,  And,  I 
believe,  the  major  reason  for  the  decision 
(decided,  gulp,  by  one  vote)  was  finances. 
The  money  is  available  for  the  addition  now. 
Both  New  Salem  and  Wendell  are  growing  ra- 
pidly.  This  year's  enrollment  at  preschool 
is  25  children.   The  legal  limit  in  the 
building  is  33.   The  furnace  is  old.   The 
celing  sags.  And  the  fact  is,  the  grant 
money  may  not  be  there  five  years  down  the 
road.   So  we  have  decided  to  move  to  the 
"big  school." 

The  preschoolers  will  have  a  separate  en- 
trance and  separate  playground,,   It  won't  be 
as  special  as  having  their  own  school,  but 
then,  maybe  it  will  make  the  transition  to 
kindergarten  an  easier  one.  My  heart  says 
stay,  but  my  logic  says  make  the  move  while 
funding  is  possible. 

One  thing  I  do  know  for  sure  is  that  the 
Swift  River  Preschool  is  a  place  for  child- 
ren to  learn  to  grow.   Janet  Ducharme,  Mar- 
celle  Feltman  and  Phyllis  Lawrence  Jare  three 
loving  teachers  working  with  our  children 
four  mornings  a  week.   They  are  teaching  the 
young  children  of  Wendell  and  New  Salem  to 
communicate  with  a  special  emphasis  on  oral 
communication.  One  extraordinary  way  this 
is  done  is  through  the  Story  Lady.  Phyllis 
Lawrence  (shh!!  don't  tell)  dresses  in  a 
lovely  feathered  cap  and  velvet  cape  accom- 
panied by  a  quill  pen  and  listens  and  writes 
down  what  the  children  tell  as  their  own 
stories.   Some  are  real,  some  imagined.  The 
children  feel  important,  listened  to,  and 
SPECIAL. 

Each  month  a  calendar  and  note  comes  home 
filled  with  information  for  parents  and 
activities  for  the  children.  Last  month  the 
Preschool  took  a  trip  to  Linda  Facey's  Sugar- 
bush  Farm.   They  also  collected  sap  from  a 
maple  tree  in  the  preschool 's  yard,  making 
their  very  own  maple  syrup. 

Indeed,  going  to  a  small  school  in  the 
center  of  a  rural  town  is  special.   But  even 
more  special  is  the  staff  that  runs  the  pro- 
gram and  this  parent  wants  to  say  Thank  You 
to  Janet,  Marcelle  and  Phyllis  for  being 
wonderful,  caring,  and  loving  teachers  for 
all  of  the  children  of  Swift  River  PreschooL 

Mez  Davis 


Eo-irKj  CwacLKoodL  Po.re.vr 
Aovisors  Cooa/cii.  Formed 


In  the  fall  of  1986,  the  Early  Childhood 
Parent  Advisory  Council  was  formed.   Its 
members  include:  Leonard  Strauss,  Janet 
Ducharme,  Bette  Richard,  Marcelle  Feltman, 
Mary  Ellen  Ziemba  Davis  and  Kathy  Woodward. 

The  council  discusses  such  matters  as 
equipment  purchases  for  the  preschool 
through  grants,  possible  programs,  needs  of 
the  preschoolers  and  surveys  to  help  make 
decisions  important  to  the  preschool  pro- 
gram.  Our  most  recent  meeting  was  held  at 
the  preschool  on  April  6,  1987  where  we  dis- 
cussed and  advised  materials  concerning  the 
most  current  preschool  survey  and  applying 
for  an  upcoming  grant.  We  are  a  small  group 
of  parents  and  teachers  who  are  evaluating 
and  always  hoping  to  improve  our  children's 
preschool  program. 

Mez  Davis 


SWIFT  RIVER  RIDERS  4-H  Club,  clockwise  from 
lower  left:  Greg  Pauli,  Ami  Golding,  Anna 
Wetherby,  Leaders  Barbara  Pauli  and  Betty 
Golding,  Gretchen  Wetherby,  Jenny  Pauli  and 
Sarah  Golding. 


Thc    Swift  Rwer  Riders 


The  Swift  River  Riders,  a  local  4-H  club, 
was  recently  awarded  a  blue  ribbon  for  their 
display  at  the  New  Salem  Library.   Jim 
Scace,  the  County  Extension  Agent  who  judg- 
ed the  exhbit,  stated  that  it  was  one  of  the 
finest  he'd  ever  seenl 

The  exhibit,  titled  "Horses,  More  Than 
Pretty  Faces",  illustrated  how  horses  are 
used  for  agriculture,  transportation,  enter- 
tainment, recreation,  law  enforcement,  and 
therapeutic  riding.  The  members  spent  many 
hours  on  planning  as  well  as  the  construc- 
tion of  props  and  doll  costumes.   Model 
horses,  dolls,  and  other  items  were  used  to 
set  up  the  display.   Each  of  the  six  scenes 
also  offered  a  fact  card,  for  example:   Did 
YOU  know  that  former  Secretary  of  State,  Jim 
Bradley,  is  one  of  the  hundreds  of  people 
regaining  motor  control  through  riding? 

The  Swift  River  Riders  was  formed  just 
over  a  year  ago  and  has  been  very  active. 
Last  spring  the  youngsters  participated  in  a 
town  clean-up  ride,  collecting  trash  on 
horseback.   Their  mounted  drill  team  per- 
formed in  the  rain  at  Wendell  Old  Home  Days 
and  in  the  sunshine  for  the  New  Salem  Old 
Home  Days.   Last  fall  they  enjoyed  a  campout 
and  gymkhana  (playing  games  on  horseback). 
Field  trips,  visual  presentations,  record 
keeping,  barn  inspections,  and  safe  riding 
are  all  a  part  of  this  4-H  club. 

Present  members  include:   Dina  Fisher, 
Wendell;   Amy  and  Sarah  Golding,  Wendell; 
Leanna  Mattson,  New  Salem;   Greg  and  Jenny 
Pauli,  New  Salem;   Renee  and  Rhonda  Reipold, 
Wendell;   Beth  and  Elise  Stockwell,  Orange; 
and  Anna  and  Gretchen  Wetherby,  Wendell. 
Teen  leader  is  Beth  Chase,  Wendell.   Activ- 
ity leader  is  Colleen  Connors,  Amherst,  who 
also  works  in  the  third  grade  at  Swift  River 
School.   Organizational/Project  leaders  are 
Betty  Golding,  Wendell  and  Barbara  Pauli, 
New  Salem. 

The  exhibit  will  be  on  display  at  Tay- 
lor's Tavern  in  Greenfield  in  the  near  fu- 
ture.  The  club  also  plans  to  enter  it  in 
the  Franklin  County  Fair,  and,  possible,  at 
Eastern  States. 

Betty  Golding 


macrobiotics-quality   In   living 


u 


LORENNE  SHUBART-KRIEGER 
certified  macrobiotic  teacher  and  cook 

private  and  group  cooking  classes 
also  available 
cooking  for  Individuals  and 
small  parties 

phone:  6 17- 544-3242 


■?/ 


—   ssojoud  pus    .C-uitqisucics 


« 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  14 


WENDELL 


PLANNING  BOARD  NOTICE 

Starting  May  18,  the  Wendell  Planning 
Board  will  meet  on  the  first  and  third 
TUESDAY  (a  change  from  Monday)  of  every 
month,  at  7:30  in  the  Town  Hall. 

Our  new  zoning  bylaws,  minimum  lot  size 
three  acres,  minimum  frontage  200  feet,  was 
approved  by  the  Attorney  General. 


POLITICAL  NOTICE 

The  Wendell  Town  Democratic  Committee 
invites  all  Democrats,  Independents  and  dis- 
gusted Republicans  to  a  potluck  supper  on 
the  Common  on  May  15  from  5-7pm  (Wendell 
Church  in  case  of  rain). 

Our  delegates  to  the  State  Convention; 
Kathy  Becker,  Parker  Cleveland,  Dave  Walsh 
and  Kathy  Nolan  are  anxious  to  discuss  any 
concerns  people  may  want  brought  to  the 
Convention  floor  in  June.  Call  Dave  Walsh 
at  544-7409  with  any  questions. 


POLICE  LOG 

2-  5-87  B&E  and  vandalism  at  Fiske  resi- 

dence on  Depot  Rd. 

2-12-87  B&E  at  Stewarts  on  West  St. 

2-22-87  Resident  on  Lockes  Village  Rd. 
reported  shooting  two  dogs  that 
were  harrassing  his  livestock. 

3-  5-87   Judy  Shaw  reported  her  house  on 

Cooleyville  Rd.  broken  into. 
3-12-87  Person  reported  hitting  dog  in 

front  of  Maple  Valley  School „ 

Dog  died. 
3-14-87  Family  disturbance, 
3-28-87  Resident  on  Lockes  Village  Rd. 

reported  cars  speeding  up  and  down 

by  Country  Store. 

FIRE  LOG 

2-9-87  Chimney  fire  at  Michael  Wing.'s- 

Wickett  Pond  Rd. 
2-10-87  Wendell  Depot  Rd. ,  Rick  Drohen- 

structure  fire  in  his  cabin. 
3-31-87  Stone  Rd.   Power  line  down-arcing. 
3-31-87  Two  cellar  pumps-Robert  Bowers  and 

Everett  Ricketts  residences. 
4-5-87  Mary  MacBride-f looded  cellar, 

pumped  cellar. 


LAND  TRANSFERS 

8-21-86  Louise  C.  Schouler  to  Mason  and 

Ina  Phelps  18  acres  on  Old  Farley 

Rd. 
10-  1-86  Danette  Reynolds-Gallaghar  to 

Dennis  Harris  house  and  building 

lot  on  Wickett  Pond  Rd. 
10-  1-86  Rural  Housing  Improvement,  Inc. 

to  James  and  Nancy  Graton  2  acres 

on  Montague  Rd. 
10-  1-86  Rural  Housing  Improvement,  Inc. 

to  William  and  Sharon  Clough  2 

acres  on  Montague  Rd. 


Spring 


by  Dennis 


Spring  grass  growing 

while  grass  green  buds 

are  budding,  touched 

by   the   sun,    turned   into   green   leaves 


pPoSTIN/G-j^LACE: 


NEW  SALEM 


GENERAL 


SUMMER  FUN! till 


There  is  a  summer  program  being  planned 
for  children  in  and  around  Wendell.  This 
recreational  program  will  include  arts  and 
crafts,  nature  study  and  co-operative  games. 

Place  and  times  to  be  announced!!  Anyone 
interested  in  participating  in  this  program 
should  call:  Mez  Davis  544-6252 
NEEDED:   One  other  teacher  and  junior  coun- 
selors. 


ANNOUNCEMENT: 

Recently  a  group  of  Wendell  and  New 
Salem  residents  have  been  gathering  to  ex- 
plore options  for  the  education  of  our  7th 
and  8th  graders.   On  March  25  a  meeting  was 
held  at  the  Wendell  Town  Hall  with  school 
superintendents,  Carl  Knowlton  and  Leonard 
Lubinsky,  in  order  to  gather  information 
and  share  ideas.   The  next  meeting  is  sche- 
duled for  Tuesday,  April  14  at  7:30  pm  at 
Swift  River  School.   Anyone  interested  is 
welcome  to  attend.   For  more  information, 
call  Katie  Bloomfield  at  544-7849. 


SUMMER  CAMP/RUGGLES  POND 

Yes,  this  summer  there  will  be  a  camp 
for  preschoolers  and  elementary  aged  chil- 
dren to  be  held  at  Ruggles  Pond,  under  the 
directorship  of  Claire  Green  and  assisted 
by  Natalie  Nalepinski.   It  will  be  an  ex- 
citing, fun,  adventure-filled  camp.   There 
will  be  programs  in  the  following  areas;  but 
not  limited  to:   nature  study,  painting, 
drawing  and  writing,  herb  identification, 
swimming,  new  games,  story  telling,  crea- 
tive movement  and  singing.   Call  me  at  home 
(after  7pm  preferably)  for  further  informa- 
tion and  questions  or  registration. 
544-7421  Dates:  June  22-26  for  preschoolers 
aged  4,  5&6 

June  29-July  3  for  chil- 
dren aged  7,  8,9 
July  6-10  for  children 
aged  10,  11,12 
Cost:   $50.00/session/child 
Time:  9 :00am-2 :00pm  (pack  own  picnic  lunch) 
Place:   Ruggles  Pond  pavillion  by  large 
meadow. 
It  is  important  to  register  by  May  31st 
or  before.   Space  is  limited  in  each  session. 


^Peri^in\U  "Place 

14  South  Main  Street,  Orange 
OPEN:  MON.-FKL  10  to  8P.M.,  SAT.  to  to  5  P.M. 

Women  s Afford 
and 
Accessories 


Tel:  (617)  'S44-3067 


BENNETT  CONSTRUCTION 

Commercial  and  Residential 


DEAN  BENNETT 


Jennison  Road.  Box  202 
Wendell.  MA  01379 


NOTICE 


As  of  April  1,  1987,  Merle  Thompson 
will  be  the  dog  officer  for  the  Town  of 
New  Salem.   Diane  Thompson  will  be  assisting 
Telephone:  617-544-7031. 

The  Board  of  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of 
New  Salem,  in  accordance  with  the  pro- 
visions of  Chapter  140,  Section  167  of  the 
Massachusetts  General  Laws,  hereby  notifies 
all  persons  of  the  Dog  Restraining  Order, 
which  has  been  in  effect  and  shall  be 
enforced.   This  order  is  deemed  necessary 
to  prevent  dogs  from  harassing  persons, 
chasing,  harrassing,  attacking,  or  killing 
deer. 

The  Dog  Officer  of  New  Salem  has  been 
authorized  to  enforce  this  order  by  fining 
owners  who  do  not  obey  the  restraining 
order.   There  will  be  a  fine  of  $10.00 
for  any  dog  picked  up  by  the  Dog  Officer, 
and  the  fine  will  be  paid  by  the  owner. 
In  addition,  the  Dog  Officer  shall  receive 
a  fee  of  $3.00  for  daily  care  for  any  dog 
in  custody.   No  dog  will  be  kept  for  more 
than  ten  days.   At  the  end  of  the  ten 
day  custody  and  care  period,  the  dog  will 
be  given  away  for  adoption  or  destroyed 
humanely. 

Dogs  running  at  large  may  be  destroyed 
if  deemed  necessary  for  public  safety. 


Town  of  New  Salem 
Board  of  Selectmen 
Marion  von  Mering,  Chairman 
Dorothy  A.  Johnson 


NOTICE 

Pursuant  to  the  unanimous  vote  of 
residents  attending  a  special  town 
meeting  on  October  14,  1986,  a  committee 
to  study  the  possible  acquisition  of 
property  belonging  to  New  Salem  Academy 
was  established  and  its  members  duly 
appointed  by  the  Board.   The  charge  to  the 
committee  is  as  follows: .. ."to  research 
the  NSA  properties  in  part  or  on  wholefor 
use  by  the  town,  and  to  see  how  the  ac- 
quisition could  be  arranged,"  The  charge 
further  requested  that  a  report  be  avail- 
able to  the  Selectmen  before  the  next  an- 
nual town  meeting.   The  report  is  now 
available o 


HHB. 

5  '^Hr*'"'                      A        m 

BLOOD  PRESSURE  GAUGE— Je anne  Clayton  (left), 
chair  of  the  New  Salem  Council  on  Aging, 
presents  Althea  Gilmore,  director  of  the  New 
Salem  Public  Library,  with  blood  pressure 
equipment  recently  purchased  by  the  council. 
Equipment  will  be  kept  at  the  library  where 
Mrs.  Gilmore,  a  registered  nurse,  takes  blooc 
pressures  every  Wednesday  3-8  p.m.  or  at 
other  times  when  she  is  in  the  library,  free 
of  charge. 


WENDELL  POST   April-May  1987  Page  15 


TH6  CRACKER    8AR«6V 


GuEAKMK/GS  fro*v\  +V\t 

Cooaitr^  Store. 


While  working  for  Tillie  Burnett  last 
summer,  I  had  occasion  to  help  finish  the 
work  that  was  being  done  on  Lester  Cook's 
house.  Tillie  and  I  arrived  at  Cook's 
every  morning  at  8  a.m„  only  to  see  Mr. 
Cook  behind  the  handles  of  his  rototiller 
hard  at  worko   "My  Qod,"  I  thought.   "He's 
got  to  be  all  of  eighty  years  old  and  still 
putting  in  a  harder  day's  work  than  I  could 
at  431"  I  really  wanted  to  get  to  know 
this  amazing  old  gentleman.  And  so  it  went. 
Mr.  Cook,  Cookie  to  all  his  friends,  never 
failed  to  take  time  out  from  his  day's  work 
to  be  neighborly  and  stop  and  chit-chat. 
I  soon  found  Mr.  Cook  to  be  one  of  the  most 
even  tempered,  friendliest  people  I  have 
met  in  a  long  while „  He  never  was  lost  to 
come  up  with  a  downright  funny  story.  His 
outlook  on  life  and  his  wisdom  allows  him 
to  view  almost  all  things  in  a  humorous 
vein.   I  soon  found  there  ain't  anything 
old  about  Cookie  at  all.  His  heart  and 
mind  are  as  young  and  joyous  as  yours  or 
mine  and  probably  more  so.   One  thing  that 
used  to  give  Cookie  fits  of  laughter  was  me 
and  Tillie  working  together.   Tillie  didn't 
have  much  patience  with  me,  being  the  hard 
taskmaster  he  is  and  me  being  more  than 
slow  to  catch  on  to  his  methods.   I  no 
sooner  screwed  something  up  than  Tillie  was 
all  over  me  like  a  bad  suito   The  air  turned 
blue  with  four-letter  words  and  out  of  the 
corner  of  my  eye  I  could  see  old  Cookie 
chuckling  away.  Well,  Cookie  got  a  kick 
out  of  me  and  Tillie  going  back  and  forth. 
Cookie  came  up  to  me  one  day  and  told  me  a 
Story  about  a  man  he  once  worked  for  who 
also  took  him  to  task  for  errors.   I  think 
Mr.  Cook  was  trying  to  tell  me  to  hang  in 
there  and  I  appreciated  his  support.   I 
no  longer  work  with  Tillie  and  in  some  ways 
regret  it  because  he  can  be  a  good  ole  boy 
when  he  wants  to  be„   I  do,  however,  see 
Mr.  Cook  at  the  country  store  two  or  three 
times  a  week  and  we  sit  and  chat  over 
coffee. 

There's  only  one  thing  wrong  with  this 
story.  Mr.  Cook  and  wife  are  selling  their 
place  and  heading  back  to  the  Berkshires. 
I  know  Mr.  Cook  really  wants  to  get  back 
there;  it's  where  he  grew  up.  I'm  happy 
he's  going  and  sad  at  the  same  time.  He's 
a  truly  special  and  unique  person  and  I 
will  miss  him.  You  get  a  lot  more  at 
the  country  store  than  what  you  pay  for. 
Next  issue  —  The  Wendell  tornado 
Richard  Alves 


Selectmen's 
minutes 


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KATE;    JZ  ISSUES    FoK*&.$0 


NAME. 
AECRESS 


BQ.&3X  ||3  \*feNpeu.,|v\ASS.  Q(37ef 


Janurary  27,  1987 

The  meeting  is  called  to  order  at  7:00  with 
Chair  Idoine  and  Selectman  Slavas  present. 
Signed  weekly  warrants. 

The  Board  had  a  meeting  with  the  Board  of 
Health  and  discussed  the  HERCO  Contract. 
Wendell  has  not  yet  received  the  Extended 
Service  Contract  and  until  it  is  received, 
the  service  Wendell  has  now  is  not  binding. 

Rick  Drohen  informed  the  board  of  land  avail- 
able for  the  Fire  Station  Garage  project. 
Rick  will  follow  up  on  the  lead. 

The  closing  day  for  the  Annual  Town  meeting 
warrant  is  March  31,  1987.  at  8:30p.m.. 

The  Board  met  with  Architects  Inc.  of  North- 
ampton.  Discussion  included:   regulations 
of  DEQE;   Major  concerns  of  pollution; 
Bercher  consulting  firm;   Fiberglass  oil  tank 
(fair ley  inert  to  anything  except  punctures; 
Architects  Inc.  willingness  to  work  meet 
frequently  with  Town  Officials;   guarantees- 
everything  in  "specs"  guaranteed  for  one  yr. 
membrane  roofing  for  ten  yrs;  stainless  steel 
roofing  for  20  yrs.   sloped  shingled  25  yrs. 
Architects  Inc.  believes  that  the  Town  can 
have  what  it  wants  for  185,000.00   The 
Board  will  get  back  to  them. 


February  3,  1987 

Meeting  is  called  to  order  at  7:00  with  full 
Board  present.   Also  present  are:  Sharon 
Gensler,  Bev  Cowdrick,  Georgina  Kish,  Deb 
Radway,  Harry  Williston,  Board  of  Health 
Members . 

Signed  weekly  warrants. 

Kerry  Dietz  Architects  from  Springfield 
presented  his  proposal  for  the  town  Garage/ 
Fire  Station.   Discussion  covered  various 
things  from  structures  to  guarantees,  to 
cooperation  with  Town  Officials.   The  Board 
will  get  back  to  them. 

Deb  Radway  informed  the  Board  that  DEQE  turn. 
ed  down  the  Holyoke  site  for  dumping.   HERCO 
may  denied  because  of  it.   They  discussed 
the  problems  with  the  current  billing  system 
The  Board  of  Health  feels  the  Town  should  be 
careful  when  changing  the  system.   But,  in 
order  to  get  credit  for  past  overpayments 
the  Town  must  change  the  system.   The  Board 
of  Health  wrote  a  letter  to  Commercial  regar 
ding  this.   Deb  Radway  will  prepare  all 
paper  work  and  wait  for  a  response  from 
commercial . 

Future  of  the  Dump:   Mandatory  Recycling? 
The  Board  of  Health  will  research  the  poss- 
ibility, appoint  a  committee  and  get  back  to 

| the  Board  of  Selectmen  with  a  completed 

j report  at  the  end  of  a  year. 
Research  Committee  appointees;   Sharon 

| Gensler,   Bev  Cowdrick,  and  Nina  Keller. 

The  Boards  discussed  the  problem  of  no  one 
being  at  the  dump  during  open  hours.   Dumpinf 
has  increased  by  1/3.   It's  possible  that 
other  Towns  are  dumping  in  Wendell.   The 
Board  suggested  Jessie  Wetherby  ask  New 
Salem  to  take  some  of  Swift  Rivers  trash. 
They  also  discussed  the  possibility 
of  charging  a  fee  to  Maple  Valley  and  Camp 
Anderson. 

The  Board  will  meet  with  Deb  Radway  and  the 
Finance  Committee  Feb.  17,  1987  in  FinComs 
office  during  their  regular  meeting. 


The  board  received  a  letter  from  Franklin, 
Hampden,  Hamshire  Conservation  Districts 
regarding  the  Open  Space  Plan.   The  Open 
Space  committee  informed  the  board  that 
Wendell  has  been  selected  for  financial  and 
Technical  assistance  under  the  Open  Space  & 
Recreation  Planning  Assistance  Program.   The 
Conservation  Districts  have  set  aside  18,000 
for  Wendell.   This  money  will  be  used  for 
consultant  time.   The  consultant  will  be 
provided  by  CCD  approved  expenses. 

February  10,1987 

The  meeting  is  called  to  order  at  7:00  with 
full  Board  present. 

Signed  weekly  warrants. 

Received  a  letter  of  intent  to  sell  from 
Mr.  &  Mrs.  Powling  via  Town  Counsel.  All 
land  in  Chapter  61A  must  be  offered  to  the 
Town  for  first  revusal, 

The  board  set  Tuesday  Feb.  24th  at  7:45  for 
meeting  with  Austin  Architects. 

Meeting  with  the  Finance  Committee,   discuss 

ed  Swift  River  budget  additional  grant  item. 

They  dicussed  the  need  for  more  space  for 

the  treasurer  and  Tax  Collector,  and  having 

a  1  000  from  EOCD  for  the  project. 

Carolyn  Manley  was  appointed  Finance  Comm. 

member. 

Doug  Tanner  is  a  possible  candidate  for  the 

Assessor  position  . 

Discussed  combining  Town  offices,  and  moving 

the  Selectmen  from  the  downstairs  office  to 

the  upstairs  office. 

February  12,  1987 

Meeting  is  called  to  order  at  7:00  with 
Selectmen  Slavas  and  Lewis  present.   Also 
present  were  Deb  Radway,  Rick  Drohen,  Joe 
Hart j ens,  and  Everett  Ricketts,  Marianne 
Sundell. 

Discussed  Architects.   Reviewed  proposals. 
Finalists  -  Joe  Matti,and  Kitchell   and 
Austin  Inc. 

Kitchell  -  Austin  uses  C.T.  Male  as  engineer 
but,  can  also  use  County  engineer.   The 
County  can  do  site  design  totally.   Deb  Radw 
ay  to  follow  up  and  get  county  in  touch  with 
FmHA  engineer. 

The  Board  voted  2-0  to  award  Architect  Servi 
ces  for  the  combined  Highway  Garage/Fire 
Station  project  to  Kitchell  and  Austin,  Inc. 
of  Amherst. 

■  February  17,  1987 

Meeting  is  called  to  order  at  7:00  with  full 
Board  present.   Signed  weekly  warrants. 

Board  discussed  office  space  for  the  Town 
Clerk,  Treasuer,  Tax  Collector.   They  discus 
sed  combining  Treasurer  and  Tax  Collector 
positions.   They  also  discussed  increasing 
the  possibility  of  hiring  an  assistant  for 
the  Town  and  paying  a  salary  of  $10,000. 

The  Board  discussed  moving  of  Town  Hall 
offices  to  include  a  space  for  the  Collector 
of  Taxes  and  Treasurer.   The  Board  will  send 
out  a  letter  to  all  boards  affected  by  any 
moves  in  Town  Hall  and  request  they  inform 
the  Selectboard  of  their  needs  for  equip- 
ment, such  as  locking  cabinets,  etc. 

Deb  Radway  informed  the  board  of  the  job 
description  for  the  Inspector  of  buildings. 
She  suggested  the  Town  join  the  Franklin 
County  cooperative  Building  Inspector  Program 

at  least  for  a  short  time,  to  train  the 
Building  Inspector  how  to  enforce  the  zoning 
by-laws.  „ 


WENDELL  POST  April-May  1987  Page  16 


Selectmen's  Minutes  Cont' 

February  24,  1987Meeting  is  called  to  order 
at  7:00  with 

Meeting  is  called  to  order  at  7:00  with  Chair 
Idoine  and  Selectman  Slavas  present. 

Signed  weekly  warrants. 

Discussed  a  dog  complaint  on  Gate  lane.   New 
Salem  has  received  6  complaint  against  dogs 
in  the  area  in  the  last  year  they  haven't 
had  any  in  the  last  six  months.   Chairman 
Idoine  called  the  dog  officer  to  discuss  the 
prpblem. 

The  Board  scheduled  a  hearing  for  assigning 
the  Residential  Tax  factor,  for  March  17,  at 
7:30  P.M..   The  Assessors  asked  for  a  factor 
of  "1". 

Received  a  letter  from  the  Dept. of  Food  and 
Agriculture  requesting  the  Inspector  of 
Animals  send  quarantine  reports  monthly. 

The  Board  voted  unanimously  to  enter  execu- 
tive session  at  8:06  for  a  meeting  with  Bill 
Austin. 

Discussed  dimensions  of  the  salt  shed;  and 
liability;   aesthetics.   Liability;  min.  lyr. 
coverage  for  100,000  with  5,000  deductable  & 
with  10,000  fee. 
Executive  session  ended  8:45 


March  3,  1987 


Meeting  is  called  to  order  at  7:00  with  full 
Board  present. 

Signed  weekly  warrants. 

Received  a  letter  from  Steve  Judge  Franklin  County 
Building  Inspector  requesting  a  meeting  with 
the  Selectboard  to  clear  up  any  misconcep- 
tions they  may  have  about  the   FCBI  program 
Steve  Judge  is  responding  to  an  article  in 
(the  Recorder.   Meeting  is  set  for  March  24th. 

Received  a  letter  from  Senator  Whetmore 
informing  the  Board  he  has  filed  the  request 
ed  legislation  with  Representative  Carmen 
Buell  on  behalf  of  the  Town  for  a  "home  rule" 
Land  Bank.   The  clerk  will  send  a  copy  to 
the  Conservation  Commission. 

Doug  Huntington  reserved  the  Town  Hall  for 
April  10,  1987  to  have  a  dance. 

Finance  Committee  discussed  the  plans  they 
have  for  the  Towns  finances. 


George  Jones  submitted  a  formal  dog  complaint 
The  Board  will  set  up  a  hearing  for  the  owner 
of  the  dogs  on  March  10th  at  7:45. 

Board  received  a  letter  from  John  E.  Wright 
of  Athol  requesting  he  be  considered  for  the 
Electric  Inspector  position.   The  board  will 
consider  him. 

The  Attorney  General  returned  the  imcomplete 
submission  of  the  Town  vote  of  the  October 
sixteenth  meeting,  Town  by-laws.   He  gave 
the  Planning  board  one  more  chance  to  get  it 
right. 

Robert  Perrill  requested  the  Town  Hall  for 
Maple  Valley,  a  private  party  on  April  2nd. 
Approved. 


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March  10,  1987 

Meeting  is  called  to  order  at  7:00  with  full 
Board  present.   Signed  weekly  warrants. 

Doug  Tanner  is  appointed  Assessor  until  the 
May  4  election.  He  was  informed  he  will 
need  nomination  papers  signed  so  he  could  be 
put  on  the  ballot. 

Selectman  Slavas  submitted  a  letter  of 
resignation.   He  will  continue  to  assist  the 
Board.   His  resignation  will  be  effective 
May  4. 

Joe  Hartjens  discussed  with  the  Board  the 
concerns  of  the  detour  at  Wendell  Depot, 
rating  limits  of  the  bridge  and  posting 
signs  for  closed  secondary  roads. 

Discussed  office  moves.  Board  received  no 
responses  from  other  Boards  concerning  the 
move . 

Regina  Howarth  reserved  the  Town  Hall  for 
a  meeting  with  Leonard  Lubinsky  and  Mr. 
Knowland,  Superintendant  of  Mahar  to  discuss 
the  future  of  seventh  and  eigth  graders. 

No  show  for  dog  hearing. 


March  17,  1987 

Meeting  is  called  to  order  at  7:00  with  full 
board  present.   Signed  weekly  warrants. 

Residential  Factor  Hearing:   The  Residential 
factor  is  set  at  1.0  for  fiscal  year  88. 
The  Board  and  Assessors  decided  to  stay  with 
one  class  until  perhaps  the  revaluation,, 

Roland  Nutter;  re:   Rte  2  detour  thru  Wendel 
Depot.   Chair  Idoine  requested  Wendell  be 
involved  in  the  planning  and  decisions  con- 
cerning any  detour  through  Wendell.   The 
Road  Commission  is  concerned  about  the  stress 
on  the  Depot  Bridge  if  the  detour  does  come 
over  it.   Chair  Idoine  will  set  up  a  meeting 
with  the  MDPW  and  the  Orange  Selectmen. 

Farley  Bridge:   The  plans  for  rebuilding  are 
at  the  Historical  Society.   Joe  Hartjens 
assures  the  Board  that  it  will  get  approval. 

Deb  Radway  met  with  Austin,  Krawczyk  and  FmHA 
Krawczyk  feels  he  can  do  the  necessary  site 
design/engineering.   FmHA  feels  the  site  is 
prime  agriculture  land  and  will  have  the 
Soil  Conservation  Service  make  a  determination 
If  it  is  prime  agriculture  land  it  may  be 
beneficial  to  the  Town  to  get  a  commercial 
loan.   Chair  Idoine  asked  Rick  Drohen  to 
check  with  commerical  banks  for  the  differ- 
ance  between  20  and  25  year  loans.   Drohen 
agreed  to. 

Road  Commission  informed  the  board  of  a  Mass 
General  Law,  Chapter  85,  Section  30  .  Limit 
to  5  ton  ]*oad  on  all  roads. 

Board  discussed  the  list  of  questions  for 

the  meeting  with  Steve  Judge,  County 
Bldg.  Inspector. 

Discussed  Building  town  offices  instead  of 
remodeling  the  fire  Dept.  Station. 


The  meeting  is  recessed  until  March  19,  @  7. 

March  19,  1987 

Meeting  with  full  Board,  Joe  Hartjens,  Rick 
Drohen  and  William  Austin. 

Discussed  concerns  over  the  lack  of  liability 
on  the  architect's  part.   Town  counsel  feels 
uneasy  with  it.  Meeting  with  him  is  set  for 
March  23rd. 

Discussed  salt  sheds,  maps, building  site  plan 
etc. 


March  24,  1987 

The  meeting  is  called  to  order  with  full 
Board  present  at  7:00.   Signed  weekly  warra- 
nts. 

Received  a  letter  of  approval  from  the 
Division  of  Animal  Health,  Mabel  A.  Owen  for 
the  appointment  of  Janet  Mankowsky. 
Received  a  letter  from  Donald  Marquis  Town 
of  Arlington  ,  informing  the  Board  that  the 
claims  from  the  Local  Aid  Commission  are 
that  the  State  is  reimbursing  40%  of  growth 
taxes  to  cities  and  Towns. 

Wendell  Depot  Bridge  is  rated  at  37^  tons. 
Joe  Hartjens  said  the  bridge  was  rated  in 
nineteen  eighty. 

FmHA  informed  the  Board  that  the  building 
site  for  the  Fire  Station/Garage  is  not  prime 
agriculture  land.   This  will  save  the  Town 
3%  in  interest  charges. 

Town  Hall  was  reserved  by  the  Arts  Council 
for  April  16th  and  23rd. 

Received  a  letter  if  intent  to  sell  7/8  acre 
of  Chapter  61A  land.   The  law  requires  the 
Town  have  the  right  of  first  refusal. 
Chair  Idoine  made  a  motion  to  refuse  the 
offer.   Selectmen  Lewis  seconded.   Unaminous 

Meeting  with  Steve  Franklin  County  Cooperative 
Building  Inspector  ,  Planning  Board,  and 
Inspector  of  Buildings.   Steve  Judge  informed 
the  Boards  of  FCCIB  program  policies  and 
procedures o  He  offered  to  send  Wendell's 
Inspector  of  Buildings  a  package  of  inform- 
ation that  may  be  helpful  to  him.   April  7th 
was  set  for  a  meeting  with  the  Planning 
Board  and  Inspector  of  Buildings  to  set  bldg 
rates . 

Chair  Idoine  requested  the  Clerk  call  the 
Boards  affected  by  the  Town  office  move 
since  she  didn't  send  the  notice  of  the  move 
to  them. 

The  Board  voted  unaminous  to  call  a  special 
election  for  a  proposition  2\  override,  for 
the  current  fiscal  year.   (86/87)  ■ 

The  Board  submitted  to  the  Finance  Committee 
a  request  for  transfer  of  1,000.00  from  the 
reserve  account  to  pay  the  retainer  for 
architectural  services. 
The  finance  committee  approved  the  transfer. 

March  31,  1987 

Meeting  is  called  to  order  at  7  p.m.  with 
Ted  Lewis  and  Jim  Slavas  present;  Michael 
Idoine  is  in  Boston. 

Signed  weekly  warrants. 

The  board  discussed  the  Annual  Town  Meet- 
ing warrant. 

Discussed  and  sent  the  petition  to  the 
County  Commissioners  for  the  discontinuance 
of  some  county  roads. 

Discussed  concerns  about  the  Rt.  2  and 
Depot  detour  and  preparations  for  the  meet- 
ing tomorrow. 

Meeting  adjourned^ 

Respectfully  submitted, 
Regina  Howarth,  Clerk 
Wendell  Selectboard 


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SALES         -         RENTALS 

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John  "Klondike"  Koehler 

617-544-2744 

WENDELl,   MA.   01379